Judge accuses council of ‘chaotic and dismal’ handling of care case

Social services bosses have been criticised by a senior family court judge over an “appalling” catalogue of errors in their handling of a care case involving a toddler.

Mr Justice Keehan said the approach of Northamptonshire County Council’s social services department had been “chaotic” and “dismal”.

The judge said the little boy, now two, had been placed with foster carers when 15 days old because social services staff thought that he was at risk of harm.

An inexperienced social worker had initially been allocated the boy’s case and had not been given support for about eight months, the judge heard.

The little boy had been allocated eight different social workers during the course of care proceedings.

Staff had failed to undertake assessments of the boy’s mother and grandparents, failed to undertake “any proper or consistent care planning” and failed to “comply timeously” with court orders, said the judge.

A senior children’s services’ official had apologised and the council had agreed to pay a total of £16,000 damages to the little boy and his mother.

Detail of the case emerged today in a ruling by Mr Justice Keehan following a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

The judge criticised the council for “egregious failures”.

And he said council’s conduct of the litigation had been lamentable.

“It is evident to me that neither the social workers, nor the senior managers at Northampton Children’s Services Department had (the boy’s) welfare or best interests at the forefront of their minds. Worse still they did nothing to promote them,” said Mr Justice Keehan.

“Their chaotic approach to this young baby’s care and future life was dismal.”

The judge added: “The catalogue of errors, omissions, delays and serial breaches of court orders in this matter is truly lamentable. They would be serious enough in respect of an older child but they are appalling in respect of a 15-day-old baby.”

Mr Justice Keehan said the little boy’s mother had sued the council claiming human rights breaches – of the right to a fair trial and to the right to respect for family life.

And he said the council had agreed to pay £12,000 damages to the boy and £4,000 to the woman.

The judge said the little boy’s family was from Latvia and his parents had arrived in the UK in 2012.

And he said it had been decided that the youngster should live with grandparents in Latvia.

He said the council had agreed to give the boy’s grandparents £1,000 to “assist them”.

The child had moved late last year, had settled well and was “thriving”.

Neither the little boy nor his parents were identified.

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