Outcry as council seeks to make man who faced child abuse trial guardian of young family

Foster carer was cleared but campaigners say that scrutiny panel was never informed of gravity of charges

- Anna Fazackerley

Herefordshire council went to court last month with the aim of making a man who was put on trial for 15 counts of child abuse and rape the permanent guardian of a family of young children.

David (not his real name) and his wife have been foster carers for the children for the past few years, after they were taken from their mother.

A decade ago, David was put on trial after being accused by a woman of indecently assaulting and raping her from the age of 12. He was found not guilty on all counts.

However, campaigners and the police have raised concerns about him being allowed to foster the children and the prospect of him becoming their guardian. A decision will be made about whether to give him permanent guardianship next month.

The case has raised alarm bells about Herefordshire council’s handling of child safeguarding. In 2022, the council's children’s services were given the lowest rating of inadequate by Ofsted.

Eleanor Brazil, the commissioner appointed to monitor the council’s improvement, reported in December that “there has been some positive progress, although too little to make the degree of change needed”.

Campaigners say the case involving David is proof the council can’t be left to reform itself. Two members of the committee which scrutinises Herefordshire’s children’s services have resigned in protest at the inability to hold officials to account.