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A SOUTH Wales council faces increased scrutiny after a string of failures led to a teenager being placed with a family whose young children he sexually abused.

Three social workers and managers have been suspended in the wake of the errors, an inquiry revealed yesterday.

It emerged that further disciplinary action will follow after the report found staff concentrated on the 19-year-old’s own vulnerability rather than the risks he posed to others.

The sex abuser was jailed in February after he admitted the rape and sexual assault of two young children in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The teenager was placed with the family by the council’s Adult Placement Service, despite having a history of sexual behaviour involving children.

But the inquiry found it was the Leaving Care Team – who focused on finding an emergency placement for the teenager – who failed to pass on information about his past.

The report, conducted by the council, describes their actions as “naive”.

It said: “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.

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

Philip Evans, the council’s director of social services, pictured, 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. As accountable professionals they are now open to external scrutiny by the Care Council for Wales and they can be removed from the register.”

He added: “The parents were left with responsibility for contacting the police. Failure to act by these staff is almost beyond understanding.”

A new management team is in place and an action plan has been drawn up to implement all 12 of its recommendations by September. Mr Evans said some had already been completed.

He added: “We can, we must and we will do better.”

John Maitland Evans, the council’s chief executive, said: “This is a tragic situation and I join the leader and all others within the council in offering a full and unreserved apology to the parents and children affected. I’m very, very sorry.”

The teenager, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the family’s children, was ordered to serve a minimum of six years by a judge at Cardiff Crown Court.

After sentencing, the court heard that allegations about the teenager were first made in 2004, when it was claimed he behaved 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.

The council knew about this sexual history, but despite this, he was sent to live with the couple and their children.

Further reports are due on the case from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Gwenda Thomas, Wales’ Deputy Minister for Social Services, said she would be giving the report “very serious consideration”.

She said: “It is clear that mistakes have been made and I have asked the Chief Inspector of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales to advise me about how the matters raised by this report are taken further.

“The Chief Inspector is writing today to the Director of Social Services in the Vale requiring a response by May 29.

“I am determined that lessons are learnt from these tragic events and that all necessary action is taken to help prevent such circumstances happening again.”

She said a review was already under way which would “provide the basis for a national overview report on safeguarding children in Wales” and would be published this autumn.

Keith Towler, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “I am encouraged by the swift acceptance of the recommendations. However, I will need to be satisfied that the council’s action plan will lead to these recommendations being implemented consistently and with immediate effect.

“I will therefore be seeking reassurance when I meet with Mr Evans and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales that stringent arrangements are now in place to safeguard all children and young people.

“Ultimately these professionals have a duty to protect all children. There is no room for error.

“This is an inexcusable series of events and the harsh lessons the Vale of Glamorgan must learn from this should not be looked at in isolation. Stringent safeguards should be in place by all local authorities to protect all young children across Wales.”

The report will go before the council’s cabinet and social services committee tomorrow.