Standing With Survivors of Skircoat Lodge Children’s Home
- Charlotte Denley
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
The courage shown by the survivors of historic abuse at Skircoat Lodge Children’s Home has been nothing short of extraordinary. Their strength in coming forward - some even waiving their lifelong right to anonymity - has played a vital role in exposing the truth about the abhorrent abuse that went on undetected for over two decades and ensuring that those responsible are finally held to account.
A landmark step towards accountability
Yesterday (23rd February 2026) Linda Brunning, a former assistant at Skircoat Lodge, was found guilty of five charges relating to the abuse of children in her care. Meanwhile, Malcolm Phillips, who managed the home between 1976 and 1994, was charged with multiple offences, but owing to poor health was deemed unfit to stand trial. He therefore faced a trial of facts rather than a criminal trial.
Both physical and sexual abuse occurred at the home between the 1970s and 1990s, affecting vulnerable children who were placed there for their own safety. Two of the survivors, Kelly Lees and Karen Bentham, have shown immense bravery by publicly revealing the abuse they suffered at the hands of Phillips, who is now 93. Their courage, and that of all the survivors involved in the investigation, has h
West Yorkshire Police reviewed more than 3,500 documents and spoke to over 1,100 individuals as part of their extensive enquiries but admitted mistakes had been made in the past.
In a statement issued yesterday Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Claire Smith said: “We accept opportunities have been missed in the past to protect victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse but have taken this learning and used it to develop strong partnerships and better working practices with other agencies.
“We want to assure people that these crimes have not gone unpunished, and those responsible have been held to account. Above all, we hope the victims feel that their voices have been heard and that a measure of justice has been achieved.”
A local authority spokesperson said: “Calderdale Council is deeply sorry for the harm and suffering caused by these individuals, and for the devastating impact this abuse has had on the lives of their victims.”
The fight for justice
For decades, many survivors lived with the emotional weight of what was done to them in a place where they should have been protected. Yesterday’s court hearing has shown that even when many years have passed, justice can still be pursued. While criminal proceedings punish the offenders, the civil courts offer an important route for victims to seek compensation and accountability from individuals and institutions that failed to protect them.
Civil claims are not just about financial compensation; they are about:
Recognition of what you endured
Accountability for those who failed to protect you
Access to specialist therapeutic support
Empowerment through being heard, believed and supported
Survivors are never to blame for the abuse they suffered, and it is never too late to seek justice in the civil courts.
Our commitment to helping survivors
Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors has been representing survivors of historic abuse for over 25 years. We understand the emotional impact of coming forward, and we approach every case with sensitivity, compassion and professionalism.
What we offer:
No Win, No Fee Representation
You won’t pay anything unless your claim is successful.
Trauma‑Informed Legal Support
Our solicitors have extensive experience dealing with cases of historic child abuse.
Access to specialist counsellors
We work alongside counsellors who are highly experienced in supporting survivors of abuse. You will never have to face this journey alone.
Your voice matters and we are here to help
If you or someone you know experienced abuse at Skircoat Lodge or any other institution, you may be entitled to compensation through the civil courts. More importantly, you deserve to be listened to and supported.
Reaching out can feel daunting, but your story deserves to be heard - and justice can still be achieved.
Your confidentiality will be respected at all times, and you will be met with understanding, not judgment.
For more information please contact:
Katherine Yates or Sophie Taylor
Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors
01223 367133 / 07810 224545
Comments