No compensation for mother wrongly accused of abuse

A mother whose baby was taken away for four months after she and her partner were wrongly accused of abuse has failed in a test case bid for compensation.

The mother and the boy, now aged eight, sued Bury Council for alleged negligence and sought financial damages for their “psychological shock and upset”.

But Appeal Court judges ruled this week that the council owed the mother no “duty of care” while investigating child abuse allegations in good faith, and said it is vital social workers are able to go about their job without the threat of being sued.

Paul Fallon, co-chair of the Association of Directors of Social Services children and families committee, said social workers are already accountable for their actions and going down the road of compensation culture will not help.