RENOWNED academic Dr Mark Peel has been commissioned to carry out an independent review of historic safeguarding processes in Oldham.

Dr Peel was Professor of Social Work at Leicester University and is the current independent chair of both Leeds and Lambeth safeguarding children’s partnerships.

The review was commissioned by Oldham’s Safeguarding Partnership at the request of the council.

The remit for Dr Peel will be to see whether the police, council and safeguarding agencies provided an appropriate response to allegations of inappropriate access to young people involving shisha bars, taxi companies and children’s homes in 2012/13.

He will present his findings early next year.

Dr Henri Giller, chair of the Safeguarding Partnership for Oldham, said: “Dr Peel has a wealth of experience and is one of the most respected academics in his field. The review will be comprehensive in its nature and will look at whether young people were at risk and whether everything possible was done to prevent harm.

“The council and police have asked for this review to ensure the public of Oldham can have confidence in services that provide help and support to children, young and vulnerable people across the borough."

The police part of the joint review will be undertaken day-to-day by Martin Bottomley, head of the Major Crime Review Team, and Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey will carry out a strategic overview.

A press statement from Oldham Council alluded to a series of daily postings over the past two months "by a couple of individuals on social media alleging that safeguarding issues are not taken seriously in Oldham".

Council leader Cllr Sean Fielding said: “The safety and protection of young people is my biggest priority.

“I recognise that the almost daily barrage of abuse on social media is causing concern across our local community. That’s why I’ve requested we provide assurance to residents and ourselves by commissioning a thorough, comprehensive and independent review of safeguarding processes.”

If anybody has evidence of offences, recent or historic, or concerns about the safety of an individual or group of individuals the responsible thing is not to make allegations on social media but report these concerns to the partnership using the contact below so that they can be properly investigated.

You can contact The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub by calling 0161 770 7777 or email to child.mash@oldham.gov.uk or adult.mash@oldham.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can complete an online referral form by following: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/100010/health_and_social_care/1618/oldham_s_multi-agency_safeguarding_hub_mash