Council apologizes for failing to provide support to adopted teenager's family

An adoptive family has reached an out-of-court settlement with North Lanarkshire Council, along with an official apology, after the council failed to provide adequate support when their teenage son faced serious difficulties. The parents, who wish to remain anonymous and are referred to here as the Walkers, claim that the sharing of information about their son's birth family against their wishes worsened the situation and contributed to the familys breakdown.

The Walkers adopted their son as a toddler. Matt Walker recalled, "Through primary school, he was the golden child, but issues began in the second year of high school." During one summer, while his usual friends were away, the 14-year-old associated with a different group, and within weeks his behavior changed drastically. At one point, he went missing for three days, leaving Matt searching the city in the rain.

Mark, their son, became involved in drugs, theft, and violent incidents. The family did receive some assistance from the council, but Matt says it lacked the specialist support required. When he reported Marks behaviour, the council dismissed it as "just normal teenage behaviour." Matt added, "We had to sleep in a bedroom with deadbolts and a fire ladder because of the dangers he posed to the family and the community."

The Walkers argue that additional mistakes by the council worsened the situation. The most significant, they claim, was providing Mark with information about his birth family despite repeated requests that it not be shared. Mark began visiting his biological mother unsupervised. Initially, things were manageable, but the relationship deteriorated, and the family says the council failed to provide the necessary supervision and support.

Matt said, "They didnt carry out a proper risk assessment or inform her about his behaviours. The organisation that helped create our family systematically destroyed it." He emphasized that Mark needed specialist psychological and mental health support due to early traumasupport that is often available to children in care but ceases after adoption.

SNP MSP Fulton McGregor, a social work professional and convener of the cross-party committee on social work at the Scottish Parliament, noted that many adoptive families face challenges accessing support when children reach adolescence and explore their histories. He advocates for equal access to assistance for adoptive families as for care-experienced children, highlighting the significant trauma some young people endure before adoption.

The Walkers pursued legal action against the council to ensure accountability rather than to seek financial gain. They received a five-figure settlement to cover legal costs and hope the case will lead to better support for other adoptive families. North Lanarkshire Council acknowledged that "matters could have been handled differently in a number of respects" and apologized for distress caused by sharing birth family information.

A council spokesperson said, "Our social work team is committed to improving our relationship with the family to provide the best possible service." They also clarified that no court ruling was made regarding ECHR Article 8, which protects private and family life.

Although Mark no longer lives with the Walkers, they maintain contact and hope to rebuild the relationship. Matt described the entire experience as "devastating" but emphasized their commitment to advocating for better support systems for adoptive families.

Analysis: Adoption and the Struggles of Accessing Adequate Support

The case of the Walkers highlights the ongoing challenges faced by adoptive families when navigating the complex web of support systems. While adopting a child can provide a new chance for a child in need, the system's lack of tailored, long-term support—especially during adolescence—can leave families vulnerable to failure. The Walkers' experience is a tragic reminder of how crucial it is for authorities to understand the specific psychological and emotional needs of adopted children, particularly those who may have faced trauma before being placed in a new home.

In this case, the North Lanarkshire Council's failure to provide proper supervision, combined with the misguided sharing of sensitive information about Mark's birth family, exacerbated an already challenging situation. The Walkers' request for confidentiality was disregarded, which ultimately contributed to their son's behavioral problems spiraling out of control. This act alone demonstrates a systemic issue where adoptive families, particularly those with children who have suffered trauma, are often left to navigate uncharted waters without sufficient guidance or support.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that the council dismissed Mark's increasingly concerning behavior as "normal teenage issues," a typical oversight that dismisses the serious psychological struggles often present in adopted children. This failure to act appropriately left the family in a state of constant danger, underscoring the urgent need for more specialized support for children who have experienced early-life trauma.

The Walkers' legal action, while it brought them some justice, was not about financial compensation but about ensuring that no other family faces the same shortcomings. The settlement and the council's apology offer a form of accountability, but this case serves as a stark reminder of the deep flaws in the current system. For adoptive families like the Walkers, support should be consistent and evolve as the child grows, recognizing the unique challenges posed by adoption, especially in the teenage years.

The Scottish Parliament's acknowledgment of these issues, particularly by MSP Fulton McGregor, signals that the conversation is slowly shifting toward more equitable support for adoptive families. However, it remains to be seen if this case will prompt substantial reform or if it will remain an isolated incident in the broader discussion of adoption support.

Ultimately, the Walkers' experience reinforces the need for systemic change. It is clear that support services must evolve to meet the unique needs of adopted children and their families, particularly as children move into adolescence and confront their past traumas. Only then can the promise of adoption truly become a successful and enduring solution for every child and family involved.

Sources:

• Council apologises to family over lack of support for adopted teenager