Inquiry launched after council employee reveals adoption details to mother
Council bosses launched an inquiry after a member of staff accidentally told a woman whose daughter had been taken from her care where the youngster was living, a family court judge has said.
A “para-legal” at Essex Council sent the woman a bundle of documents containing the names and address of a couple who had been earmarked to adopt the little girl – now four – and were caring for her, Mrs Justice Parker was told.
The woman had mounted an unsuccessful attempt to block her daughter’s adoption and had been given documentation because she was representing herself at a hearing.
Detail of the error has emerged in a ruling on the case following a private family court hearing in Chelmsford.
Mrs Justice Parker said the woman had told the council that documents contained details of her daughter’s whereabouts.
The judge said she was to be “commended”.
“An inquiry is being put in hand by Essex,” said Mrs Justice Parker.
“I am satisfied it has taken this matter extremely seriously.”
She added: “The mother has behaved responsibly in regard to this wholly unwarranted disclosure.”
Mrs Justice Parker said a judge had ruled that the little girl should be taken from the woman’s care after social workers raised concerns about drug use.
She said she had concluded that the woman had “no prospect” of overturning an adoption order.
The judge said she did not “blame” the woman. She said she regarded substance abuse as an illness.
No-one involved was identified.
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