The sacked head of the government agency set up to safeguard the welfare of children in the court system has threatened legal action to clear her name, writes Derren Hayes.
Diane Shepherd was dismissed as chief executive of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service last week after an eight-month disciplinary inquiry into her performance. She had been suspended since November last year.
Cafcass refused to give its reasons for dismissing Shepherd, but they are thought to relate to questions of competence and making financial decisions without authority.
But Shepherd said there was no foundation to the charges, and believes she has been made a "scapegoat for the deficiencies of others".
She claims Cafcass did not conduct a fair and full disciplinary process. "I have fought unsuccessfully for the right to a fair and independent investigation, but have still not had the opportunity to give my account of these matters," she said.
Shepherd vowed to clear her name and repair the damage done to her career, through the courts or an industrial tribunal if necessary.
Napo: funding cuts leaves sex offenders without rehabilitation
17 March 2008
GSCC committee bars social worker for relationship with user
14 March 2008
Darling to make child poverty his priority
12 March 2008
News round up: Darling to make child poverty his priority
12 March 2008
Children's homes and disabled people's services exempt from strike
'Parents use forced marriage as care option for learning disabled'
NHS London report finds inappropriate sexual contact over two decades
GSCC: Social worker suspended for relationship with child's father
Government Legislation
17 July 2008
Private Member Bills
17 July 2008
Details of government consultations
11 July 2008
