Cornwall lambasted over foster care

Cornwall Council  has agreed to pay £30,000 in compensation
after the local government ombudsman found it “mishandled” the
foster care of two brothers.

In a report this week, the ombudsman said the council failed to
follow a series of procedures.

The two brothers were fostered by a couple for the council for
three years, but the younger was removed despite opposition from
the boys.

The ombudsman concluded that the council did not seek a
professional assessment of the attachment between the brothers, and
failed to properly record its decision.

Despite both boys requesting regular contact with each other at the
couple’s home after they had been separated, the council did not
take their wishes into account or promptly organise regular
contact, the ombudsman said.

The council has agreed to pay £10,000 to each of the brothers
when they reach their 18th birthday, and another £10,000 to
the couple.