Lanarkshire child protection papers leaked to newspapers

SENSITIVE papers relating to child protection cases have been released by mistake to the press. The documents were among the minutes of Lanarkshire NHS board circulated to newspapers, including the Advertiser, last week.

Managers said the papers were to be used to illustrate to board members the challenges faced by health staff, social workers and other agencies involved in child protection.

However, some of the documents concerned live cases and there was concern that their publication might impact on investigations.

NHS Lanarkshire took responsibility for the error, which last Wednesday prompted frantic phone calls from their public relations staff demanding the immediate return of the papers.

Managers also demanded an assurance from editors that the material would not be used in any article.

An NHS Lanarkshire spokesman said they and partners North Lanarkshire Council were prepared to apply to court for an interim interdict preventing publication of the documents.

The 10 pages of material were stapled to the back of a report informing NHS board members of child protection activities and preparations for inspections of the county’s child protection arrangements.

The 10 pages did not include the names of individual children, but gave dates of birth, assessment details and recommendations for action.

Two of the five cases detailed included children on the child protection register who had died.

In common with other papers in Lanarkshire, the Advertiser agreed to return the papers.

Editor John Rowbotham said: “There’s no way we would publish such harrowing detail from individual case histories such as these, particularly if publication might undermine a potential prosecution.

“However, the issue raises serious questions about confidentiality and how such material found its way into the public domain.”

In a joint statement from NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council, a spokesman said that following the release of the material they intended to review procedures.

A spokesman added: “The cases referred to in the NHS Lanarkshire paper were designed to illustrate to board members the challenging work that not only its staff, but those of other agencies, are engaged in.

“This report is one of a number of reports the board receives throughout the year.

“While we would normally expect these summary case reviews to be jointly prepared, we regret that on this occasion reviews were reported using single agency information without input from our partners.

“On this basis, the information should have been subject to more rigorous checks to ensure that it accurately reflected the timeframes and actions that were taken by all partner agencies and to ensure there were no ongoing investigations.”

She added: “There is a high level of respect between colleagues in each of the partner agencies and recognition of the challenges we all face.

“We work closely together and review child protection cases through an agreed process.

“We will undertake a review with partners to ensure that future case illustrations continue to be a vital tool in our efforts to protect children and do not undermine the confidence of those working in health, social work or other agencies.”

Hamilton South MSP Tom McCabe was stunned when he learned that the papers had been released.

He questioned whether it was necessary to make available to board members details of actual child protection cases.

“This is a serious breach of confidentiality,” he said. “And all parties involved must give assurances it will not happen again.”

Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell described the release of the papers as alarming.

She added: “There needs to be a thorough investigation to find out how these papers came to be released.

“Child protection is obviously a particularly sensitive issue and what has happened here does not inspire confidence.”