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| 'Enforced separation' stops mother seeing son for years | 'Enforced separation' stops mother seeing son for years |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A mother was separated from her adopted son for almost five years after a social worker gave her an ultimatum over his care, a report has found. | A mother was separated from her adopted son for almost five years after a social worker gave her an ultimatum over his care, a report has found. |
| The woman, who adopted the disabled boy at a young age, had appealed unsuccessfully for nearby respite support. | The woman, who adopted the disabled boy at a young age, had appealed unsuccessfully for nearby respite support. |
| Instead he was placed with a foster family more than two hours away. | Instead he was placed with a foster family more than two hours away. |
| Northamptonshire County Council has apologised to the family and promised a review of its procedures. | Northamptonshire County Council has apologised to the family and promised a review of its procedures. |
| The investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman, Dr Jane Martin, said the mother had originally asked for help in 2006 when she struggled to care for the boy alone. | The investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman, Dr Jane Martin, said the mother had originally asked for help in 2006 when she struggled to care for the boy alone. |
| The child has significant developmental issues and impaired speech. | The child has significant developmental issues and impaired speech. |
| 'Enforced separation' | 'Enforced separation' |
| His mother later married and gave birth to three children, two of whom also have medical needs. | His mother later married and gave birth to three children, two of whom also have medical needs. |
| A shared care arrangement for the adopted boy was put in place in 2008 with a local foster family. However, this ended in 2011 after one of the carers died. | A shared care arrangement for the adopted boy was put in place in 2008 with a local foster family. However, this ended in 2011 after one of the carers died. |
| The report found the social worker ignored the advice of Children's Services and had only offered full-time foster care for the boy away from his mother. | |
| It said he "expected the woman to either accept a foster placement or resume full-time care for the boy" herself. | It said he "expected the woman to either accept a foster placement or resume full-time care for the boy" herself. |
| Dr Martin said the mother felt unable to challenge an "enforced separation" and the council had threatened to remove the boy completely from her if she did. | Dr Martin said the mother felt unable to challenge an "enforced separation" and the council had threatened to remove the boy completely from her if she did. |
| 'Back at home' | 'Back at home' |
| In April 2016, almost five years later, the mother exercised her right to end the foster placement as the child neared his 18th birthday. He now lives at home. | In April 2016, almost five years later, the mother exercised her right to end the foster placement as the child neared his 18th birthday. He now lives at home. |
| Northamptonshire County Council said it accepted the findings of the ombudsman's report and apologised. | Northamptonshire County Council said it accepted the findings of the ombudsman's report and apologised. |
| A spokesperson said: "The voice of the child is crucial in our work with vulnerable children and young people. | A spokesperson said: "The voice of the child is crucial in our work with vulnerable children and young people. |
| "We have taken steps to remind all social care staff of the importance of ensuring that core assessments always take into account the wishes and feelings of the child." | "We have taken steps to remind all social care staff of the importance of ensuring that core assessments always take into account the wishes and feelings of the child." |
| Dr Martin added: "This report serves to remind all authorities of the real impact of failing to reach proper decisions and take clear courses of action when faced with a choice of accommodating children or allowing them to remain with their parents." | Dr Martin added: "This report serves to remind all authorities of the real impact of failing to reach proper decisions and take clear courses of action when faced with a choice of accommodating children or allowing them to remain with their parents." |