Herefordshire mother says council's children's services were "misleading"
The council have apologised after "utterly failing" three children in their care
A mother from Herefordshire says she felt "mislead" during the adoption process of her son with the county council's children's services.
The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the time during the process was "distressing and sad" as she was continuing to deal with post-natal depression.
A high court judge recently questioned whether the services were fit for purpose following a "wholesale failure" of three young children who were in foster care in 2012.
During an urgent meeting earlier this week, councillors expressed their fury at how the services continued to fail the three children involved - which also lead to a fourth child dying.
The woman, who remains anonymous, said:
"It was quite distressing. I have feelings of anger and sadness. I was quite depressed at one stage because of what happened.
"I won't ever have children again and it was my parents' only grandchild. It's all just very, very sad".
The woman's son was adopted after she suffered a period of post-natal depression and could no longer take care of her eight-month-old son.
She said officers made allegations she was stalking her GP which lead to her being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
During the meeting on Wednesday, councillors unanimously agreed to implement a series of recommendations to bring reform to the services.
They included an improvement board has being established, external reviews being commissioned and an independent advisor being appointed from the Department for Education to act as a chair of the improvement board.
The woman continued:
"I think they've realised the information they get from the officers isn't always the case.
"I'm a bit more hopeful now they have a new chief executive and interim director.
"I think they're trying to change the culture in the services because they know they have a problem".
In a statement, Council Leader David Hitchiner, said:
"During today’s extraordinary council meeting we as corporate parents have accepted the findings of the High Court judgment and take full accountability for the failings of our Children’s Social Care Services.
"For the past failings of this council I repeat my apologies and those of this council to the children and families involved.
"Following today’s debate we welcome the recommendations in the report and will build on these to improve the services we offer to Herefordshire children and their families".