I WANT to highlight to your readers that an inquiry is looking for former residents of St Aidan’s children’s home in Widnes who were victims of child sexual abuse to come forward and take part in our accountability and reparations investigation.

St Aidan’s and St Vincent’s children’s homes were two of the five homes at the centre of what were known as the ‘north west child abuse cases’.

In respect of St Aidan’s, the inquiry has just one core participant directly associated with the case study.

A core participant has a formal role as defined by legislation who has special rights.

These include receiving disclosure of documentation, being represented and making legal submissions, suggesting questions and receiving advance notice of the inquiry’s report.

Individuals and organisations that wish to be designated as a core participant are asked to submit their application before June 30.

Core participant status is not the only way in which individuals and organisations can assist the inquiry.

Those who do not wish to play a formal role in the investigation but have information to provide should get in touch as soon as possible.

Anyone who contacts the inquiry can be assured that their information will be handled in the strictest confidence.

People wishing to get in touch can e-mail Simon Regis at solicitors@ iicsa.org.uk.

Professor Alexis Jay

Chairman of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse