This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-30234549
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
North East Lincolnshire Council 'biased in adoption row' | North East Lincolnshire Council 'biased in adoption row' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A couple say a local authority set out to adopt their grandson even though they wanted to care for him and his brother who already lived with them. | A couple say a local authority set out to adopt their grandson even though they wanted to care for him and his brother who already lived with them. |
Social worker Neil Swaby, of North East Lincolnshire Council, refused to explain why he did not support their case for adoption, they told the BBC. | |
A judge said Mr Swaby, fellow social worker Rachel Olley and another colleague were "biased" against them. | A judge said Mr Swaby, fellow social worker Rachel Olley and another colleague were "biased" against them. |
But Unison said it was "unacceptable" social workers should "carry the can". | |
The union that represents council social workers said Ms Olley had been made a scapegoat in the case. | |
'Get used to it' | 'Get used to it' |
Speaking to the Today programme, the couple said they challenged the authority when it decided to put the three-year-old boy up for adoption after his mother died. | Speaking to the Today programme, the couple said they challenged the authority when it decided to put the three-year-old boy up for adoption after his mother died. |
They said they asked Mr Swaby: "Who do you think you are - God?" | They said they asked Mr Swaby: "Who do you think you are - God?" |
They said he replied: "In this situation, yes. Get used to it, your grandson will go for adoption." | They said he replied: "In this situation, yes. Get used to it, your grandson will go for adoption." |
Judge Simon Jack, sitting at Hull Family Court, was asked to decide on the future of the boy, known only as J. | Judge Simon Jack, sitting at Hull Family Court, was asked to decide on the future of the boy, known only as J. |
In a ruling published on Tuesday, the judge criticised evidence given by Mr Swaby, Ms Olley and a third social worker. | In a ruling published on Tuesday, the judge criticised evidence given by Mr Swaby, Ms Olley and a third social worker. |
Ruling in favour of the couple, he said Mr Swaby had been "very begrudging" in his evidence. | Ruling in favour of the couple, he said Mr Swaby had been "very begrudging" in his evidence. |
'A shambles' | 'A shambles' |
He said Ms Olley's evidence was "totally discredited" after she told the court the boy had behavioural problems, contradicting her written statement. | He said Ms Olley's evidence was "totally discredited" after she told the court the boy had behavioural problems, contradicting her written statement. |
"I have never, in over 10 years of hearing care cases, taken the view, as I did in this case, that the local authority's witnesses were visibly biased in their attempts to support the local authority's case," he said. | "I have never, in over 10 years of hearing care cases, taken the view, as I did in this case, that the local authority's witnesses were visibly biased in their attempts to support the local authority's case," he said. |
"It is very unfortunate and I hope I shall never see that again." | "It is very unfortunate and I hope I shall never see that again." |
The boy's grandfather said it was only then that he thought they might win their 16-month case. | The boy's grandfather said it was only then that he thought they might win their 16-month case. |
He said: "The judge asked [Ms Olley's] advocate to stand up and he said to her, 'Basically your case is a shambles,' and he threw it out of court. | He said: "The judge asked [Ms Olley's] advocate to stand up and he said to her, 'Basically your case is a shambles,' and he threw it out of court. |
"I could have hugged that judge, I could. I've never known anything like it." | "I could have hugged that judge, I could. I've never known anything like it." |
'Difficult decisions' | 'Difficult decisions' |
In a statement, Unison said: "This blaming culture in local authorities is likely to have an impact on an already depleted workforce. [This] type of case will only drive more social workers away from the profession." | In a statement, Unison said: "This blaming culture in local authorities is likely to have an impact on an already depleted workforce. [This] type of case will only drive more social workers away from the profession." |
Mr Swaby did not respond to requests for comment. | Mr Swaby did not respond to requests for comment. |
A spokesman for the council said that the authority had carefully considered the judge's comments, and that there had been a "rigorous process" to prepare the social workers to give evidence. | A spokesman for the council said that the authority had carefully considered the judge's comments, and that there had been a "rigorous process" to prepare the social workers to give evidence. |
He said: "North East Lincolnshire Council is committed to ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people and, where possible, allow them to stay within their extended family. | He said: "North East Lincolnshire Council is committed to ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people and, where possible, allow them to stay within their extended family. |
"We have a growing number of young people supported in this way and we continually review and update our policies and practices to assist with that aim. | "We have a growing number of young people supported in this way and we continually review and update our policies and practices to assist with that aim. |
"This case illustrates the complexities and difficult decisions that have to be made while striving to act in the best interests of children." | "This case illustrates the complexities and difficult decisions that have to be made while striving to act in the best interests of children." |
Previous version
1
Next version