Boy 'suffered' after Pembrokeshire council 'delay'

The report found the child had "suffered" because of delays

Serious shortcomings have been found in the way a council dealt with concerns about the welfare of a child.

A father complained about delays in Pembrokeshire County Council's response to concerns he raised about his son, now nine, while in his mother's care.
He said his son suffered from neglect and was at risk of harm.
The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales found the council had been "tardy". Pembrokeshire council has been asked for its response.

The council was found to be slow at initiating child protection and care order procedures.
Emotional problems
The ombudsman also said a referral from the NSPCC that the child was being left alone with a member of the family convicted of child abuse was not properly investigated.
Pembrokeshire council said it accepted the findings of the ombudsman and had agreed to carry out the actions recommended in his report.
The father had separated from the child's mother in 2002 and they were subsequently divorced. The boy continued living with his mother.

Measures should have been taken sooner to safeguard A and to promote his welfare Ombudsman's report

The child had emotional problems, and his education and development were delayed as a result.
The father, who has not been named but is called Mr W in the ombudsman's report, said his son was at risk of harm.
Mr W complained about a delay by the council "in initiating child protection and ultimately care order proceedings" for his son when he was in the care of his mother.
He said there was "inadequate assessment and investigation" in response to his concerns and those from other agencies, including the emergency services.
The ombudsman's investigation found "serious shortcomings" in the way concerns were dealt with.
'Not properly investigated'
The report said: "Although social workers were aware of A's mother's family history, early assessments did not address the need to ensure that A's mother acknowledged the risks and kept her children safe.
"A referral that A was being left alone with a second close family member, convicted of child abuse, was not properly investigated.
"When inquiries were made about this several months later it prompted a child protection conference."
The ombudsman said the council was "tardy in initiating child protection procedures despite referrals from the emergency services in December 2005".
"This pointed to an 18-month delay before A was registered as a child at risk, and measures should have been taken sooner to safeguard A and to promote his welfare," said the ombudsman.
Foster carers
Referrals had also been made from the child's school but the ombudsman found there was no written record of the council's response.
Neighbours also expressed concern about activities at the mother's property such as drinking, noise and the possibility of drug use.

There was no suggestion that the child suffered as a result of his relationship with two relatives who were schedule one offenders Pembrokeshire County Council

The ombudsman concluded the boy had suffered as a result of the council's delay in taking action.
His recommendations included payments of £5,000 to the boy and £500 to his father for "identified shortcomings in complaint handling and for his time and trouble in submitting the complaint".
The child is now in a long-term placement with foster carers and is said to be doing well.
Identified weaknesses
Pembrokeshire council said it accepted that, with the benefit of hindsight, the statutory powers to investigate the child's circumstances, and to consider whether to register the child as being at risk, should have been invoked earlier.
The council said in a statement: "During 2005, the social services child protection team was enhanced by the appointment of two duty managers and the following year by the appointment of a new team manager.
"While there were identified weaknesses in elements of the handling of this case, especially in recording decisions, there was no suggestion that the child suffered as a result of his relationship with two relatives who were schedule one offenders, and we are pleased that he is now responding well in his new circumstances.
"We understand his father is also now satisfied with the arrangements for his son.
"The issue being dealt with in this case took place almost five years ago and since that time successive inspections by the Social Services Inspectorate, Wales have recognised the continuing improvements in the service and the importance placed in the service by the county council."

BBC