I refer to your recent request for information, detailed below:

How many cases of Children being taken from parent / Guardian following maliciously reported false allegations of neglect or abuse have been identified by Salford Children's Services.

What is the usual procedure adopted by Salford Children's Services for this kind of scenario, when social workers make these kind of mistakes ?

We can advise that no cases of children being taken from parent / guardian following maliciously reported false allegations of neglect or abuse have been identified by Salford Children's Services.

Any allegation that we receive has to be investigated. We investigate allegations within the framework set out within the DCSF `Working Together to Safeguard Children' guidance, which includes oversight by a Team Manager.

Link to the `Working Together to Safeguard Children' guidance attached: www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/safeguardingandsocialcare/safeguardingchildren/workingtogether/workingtogethertosafeguardchildren

Where the matter is of such serious concern that we need to consider removal of a child from their parents, then the Local Authority needs to make an application to court.

The matter is heard in court and all parties are invited to hear the evidence presented and to challenge that evidence. The decision to remove a child rest within the court arena.

Salford also has a complaints procedure that can be used to raise grievances.

I hope this answers your questions sufficiently, however if you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request or wish to make a complaint or appeal against any decision we have made in response to your request you should write in the first instance to Terry Walsh at the following address:

Head of Management Information & Sharing,

Salford Children's Services,

Minerva House,

Pendlebury Road,

Swinton,

Salford,

M27 4EQ

Guidance on how to make a formal appeal against a decision under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is also available on our web site at www.salford.gov.uk.

Should you continue to disagree with the decision following the appeal you may wish to contact the Office of the Information Commissioner at:-

Wycliffe House,

Water Lane,

Wilmslow,

Cheshire,

SK9 5AF

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45

Fax : 01625 524510