18 Highbury Grove

Address: 18 Highbury Grove, London N5 1HJ

Open: 1979 – 2005

Number of ISN survivors that lived at Highbury Grove children’s home: 16: 6 men and 10 women

Numbers of children named by survivors as living at Highbury Grove children’s home: 30: 11 boys and 19 girls (aged 16 -18 years)

Residential staff  named by survivors and former staff as working in Highbury Grove children’s home: 15: 9 women and 6 men

Islington Guidelines to 18 Highbury Grove dated 1978:

The document below clearly says this home is for children age 16 and over. yet ISN know of children age 15 being placed there who felt they were not yet ready for semi-independence and describe being left alone to do cooking, washing etc.

Life at 18 Highbury Grove children’s home

The house consisted of 7 self contained flats for 10 children. There were 5 members of staff with one on duty at any time. A flat is described on one file as having a kitchen and bathroom and two girls shared it – each with their own bedroom. It was a half way house between a residential children’s home and independence. ISN have learnt of at least 3 young women who were there with their newborn babies. The home was mainly for over 16s and some remained until after their 18th birthday.

File records describe a harsh approach to children trying to make their way into adulthood – most having been in abusive children’s homes prior to this placement. They were threatened with legal proceedings and eviction if they did not get a job and could not pay the rent. One boy was in court for stealing a packet of cigarettes and was told he would be evicted as he could find somewhere with ‘ friends and family.’ Survivors told ISN of staff with strange backgrounds for working in a children’s home – one an electrician another a bus driver.

Some of the women survivors talk of two investigations into one member of staff in 1987 and 1991. One remembers going to Highbury House and being interviewed with other girls by social services manager Martin Higgins.