THE corporate director of children and young people services in County Durham has given evidence at an inquiry into sexual abuse.

Margaret Whellans, of Durham County Council, spoke at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) this week.

Public hearings into allegations of child sexual abuse in custodial institutions have been held from Monday, July 9, and end today.

On Wednesday, Ms Whellans discussed policies and procedures in place around restraint and reporting of abuse at Aycliffe Secure Centre, in Newton Aycliffe.

The hearing was told sexual abuse was unlikely to be under-reported at the unit due to levels of staffing, CCTV and complaints procedures.

Ms Whellans said improvements were also being looked into, which included an app for reporting.

In a statement from colleague Carole Payne, she “believed there was strong leadership and management and the philosophy was one of exceptional parenting with welfare the primary focus”.

Victims of alleged historic sexual abuse at Aycliffe Secure Centre and other institutions in the area in the 1960s and 1970s gave evidence to the inquiry this month.

They spoke of historic violence at the unit as well as brutal beatings and sexual abuse at Stanhope Castle Approved School.

Closing statements will be given at the inquiry, held in London, today.