"It is not my
job to probe allegations of misconduct by social workers involved in forced
adoptions"
THE
councillor in charge of children's services in Essex has said it is "not her
job" to probe allegations of misconduct by social workers involved in forced
adoptions. County council cabinet member Tracey Chapman declared: "It is not
good for us to know too much about individual cases. By what criteria would
we know whether a professional had done the right or wrong thing?"
Her remarks add fuel to fears that decisions in
Essex's family courts are escaping proper scrutiny by police, the press and
politicians. Essex Police said recently it would ask judges' advice before
launching investigations into allegations by parents. Mrs Chapman spoke to
the Gazette yesterday after the council faced a barrage of criticism over
revelations about a family from Brentwood, South Essex, whose two children
were adopted last week.
The case was sent to London's High Court after the
parents claimed they had been unfairly victimised because the mother had a
low IQ. A judgement published on the internet described the couple involved
as "decent law-abiding parents who had done nothing intentionally wrong,"
but granted the adoption on grounds including that they might fail to
respond properly if the children were ill. Mrs Chapman and the council's
Director of Children and Young People's Services, Clair Pyper,criticised
national newspapers for "inaccurate coverage" of the case. They said the
independent High Court decision showed checks and balances in the department
were working and claimed the media was not in a position to judge dilemmas
faced by social workers. But both dismissed suggestions that more open
hearings would help avoid confusion. "In many cases we wouldn't want details
published because people have a voyeuristic desire to know," Mrs Pyper said.
Tracey Chapman is not
actually qualified to be in charge of your Children and
Families department [UK Fathers]
Tracey Chapman
30 South Street,
Rochford,
Essex SS4 1BQ
Email:
Cllr.Tracey.Chapman@essexcc.gov.uk
14/08/2005
Slow Parents are forced to have their
Children Adopted
http://www.fassit.co.uk/parents_forced_adoption.htm
11/08/2005 Justice for families in
adoption scandal
http://www.fassit.co.uk/adoption_scandals.htm
27/07/2005
Family Court: Information disclosure changes hailed
http://www.fassit.co.uk/family_court_changes.htm
