15. In order to investigate the institutional responses to allegations of child sexual abuse in Nottinghamshire, including the barriers to disclosure, the Inquiry selected three case studies.^[1]

15.1. Beechwood was initially a remand home, then an observation and assessment centre, before being designated as a children’s home in 1984. Since 2011, it has been the subject of extensive police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse, as well as a focus of the local media. It is also the single institution with the largest number of allegations of sexual abuse made to the Inquiry.^[2] Although a large number of allegations of child sexual abuse had been made in recent years, there was little evidence of allegations being made or responded to at the time. This case study illustrates the barriers to reporting faced by children in care. 

15.2. Foster care, throughout the period under review, has been the primary placement for children in care. Complainant core participants made 26 allegations of sexual abuse in foster care^[3] and there were a substantial number of documents dealing with the Councils’ responses to complaints made at the time. 

15.3. Harmful sexual behaviour between children in care does not appear to have been the focus of any public inquiry in the UK. However, it is estimated that between one-third and two-thirds of allegations of child sexual abuse in the UK are made against young people under the age of 18.^[4] In Nottinghamshire, five internal investigations were conducted into harmful sexual behaviour between 1988 and 1995 in five separate children’s homes.

16. In addition, there were many allegations of sexual abuse falling outside these specific case studies, which relate to other residential homes (such as Amberdale, Skegby Hall, Greencroft and Hazelwood). These are recorded in summary tables,^[5] and institutional responses to some of those allegations are addressed further below.