Foster family 'falsely accused of sexual impropriety' to be awarded £346,000 from Moray Council

A foster family “falsely accused of sexual impropriety” are to be awarded £346,000 from Moray Council, a Sheriff has ruled.

The Sheriff Appeal Court ruled the council’s social work department made “erroneous and misleading statements” about the family including a “false allegation of sexual impropriety.”

An “underlying prejudice” was found towards the family about how they cared for the three children from 2012 – a girl and two boys – who were sent to private school.

The sheriff refused the council’s appeal to pay other damages relating to the case and said compensation payments of £8,000, £61,277 and £131,107 remain outstanding.

Other awards of damages had already been agreed between the local authority and the family and were not subject to appeal.

Jim Lyon, interim chief social work officer at Moray Council said: “Moray Council respects the court’s decision and is complying with the court order.

“We have settled the financial claim as specified recognising this is a significant sum for the council.

“Fostering processes have changed since this matter first came to light with a firm commitment to developing and improving practice by training, clarity on multi-agency working roles, procedural standards and operational guidance.

“Care Inspectorate reports since December 2017 show consistent improvement across the services involved in the care of children and young people in Moray.

“We are determined to continue that trajectory.”