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Social workers suspended for failing to tell foster parents about sex abuse past of teenager who raped their son, 2

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Daily Mail

May 18, 2009

Philip Evans, director of social services at Vale of Glamorgan where teenager was placed with foster family and then sexually abused their children

Inquiry: Philip Evans, director of social services at Vale of Glamorgan Council, refused to resign although three of his staff have been suspended

Three social workers and managers have been suspended after a disturbed teenager was placed with a family with young children he went on to sexually abuse, an inquiry revealed today.

The 19-year-old was jailed indefinitely in February after he admitted the rape of one of the children and repeated sexual assault of the other.

The report, overseen by the NSPCC, revealed information on the teenager's history of sexual behaviour towards children was kept from his foster parents and some of the council staff behind the decision to place him with them.

The teenager was placed with a family by the Vale of Glamorgan's Adult Placement Service, but it was the Leaving Care Team which focused on the need for finding the teenager an emergency placement.

The report describes their actions as 'naive'.

'Seen for the most part as a victim in many aspects of his life, he was considered to be the one in need of protection,' the report said.

'Because of this focus, much of the relevant information was not made available to the parents of the children and to some of the staff involved in making decisions about providing accommodation.'

Director of social services at Vale of Glamorgan Council Philip Evans said he would not be resigning over the incident.

Mr Evans said: 'We have suspended three members of staff - social workers and managers - and further disciplinary action will follow quickly now we have the inquiry report.

'Potentially the consequences to the staff are serious.

Vale of Glamorgan council, where a teenager was placed with foster parents before sexually abusing both their children

Consequences: John Maitland Evans, chief executive, councillor Gordon Kemp, leader, councillor Dorothy Turner, cabinet member for care services at Vale of Glamorgan, and Philip Evans defend their errors today

'As accountable professionals they are now open to external scrutiny by the Care Council for Wales and they can be removed from the register.'

The teenager, who was housed with the family under the council's Adult Placement Service, was given an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection.

Immediately after the sentencing, the local authority said it deeply regretted the distress and harm caused to the family.

Allegations about the teenager's sexual behaviour were first made in 2004, when it was claimed he acted in a sexually inappropriate way to another boy.

In 2005, he is said to have sexually touched a boy while they were both living at a hostel in England.

Last year, he allegedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old while they were staying in the same hostel.

Despite this he was sent to live with the couple and their children.

In sentencing the teenager for a minimum term of six years, Judge Nicholas Cooke QC, Recorder of Cardiff, said the case was a tragedy for the couple, whose only wish was to serve the community by helping the teenager.

The results of an independent serious case review, carried out by the local safeguarding children board, have yet to emerge.

2009 May 18