Our Origins
F.A.C.T. (Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers) is a UK wide, membership based, voluntary organisation run by a national committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, three other committee members, regional representatives and co-opted members. It is responsible for its own fund-raising and receives no financial or other help from Government or local authorities.
F.A.C.T. has its roots in the decisions of various police forces in the UK to undertake historical investigations into alleged abuse in former children’s homes and residential schools.
The first to do this was the North Wales Police Force who began their inquires in 1991. They were followed by Merseyside and Cheshire Police. Within a decade virtually every police force in the UK was either undertaking retrospective investigations into alleged abuse, or planning to do so. In North Wales and in Liverpool the scale of the investigations was so great and misinformed that huge numbers of carers and teachers banded together for mutual support. The first support group was set up in North Wales in 1992.
In the late 1990′s several people from Merseyside and surrounding area banded together following the decision of Merseyside and Cheshire Police to establish Operation Care in which they trawled for allegations from former residents of care homes throughout the Northwest. In late 1999 F.A.C.T. was formed
In the Spring of 2000 hundreds attended the first ever F.A.C.T. National Conference held at St Helens. The huge numbers struck a chord with other carers and teachers throughout the UK in a similar position. Local activists were joined by concerned academics, lawyers, professionals and politicians.
As more individuals were accused and the injustices became more apparent other local groups and individual campaigns merged to form a powerful and respected national network, and an organisation to be reckoned with.
The current membership includes men and women who work (or have worked) in, or on behalf of,
- children’s homes or approved schools
- mainstream education
- special education (residential or day provision)
- colleges, further and higher education establishments
- day care units (playgroups, childminders, and nurseries
- or foster carers
- the voluntary sector (youth and community work including uniformed organisations and sports clubs)
- health care provision
- faith groups and religious communities
- the police and prison services
- the armed forces
The group is therefore well-placed to comment on the vulnerability of men and women whose occupation brings, or brought them, into regular contact with children and vulnerable or dependent adults at all levels throughout the UK.