Allsopp hits back after son's trip to Europe reported to council

Kirstie Allsopp has hit back at Britain's "risk-averse" culture as she revealed she was reported to social services for allowing her teenage son to go on an Interrailing trip.

- Emily Dugan

The television presenter said that after posting online that she had allowed her then 15-year-old son, Oscar, to travel across Europe, she was contacted by a social worker who said a file had been opened after child protection concerns were raised.

She said her summer-born son was young for his year and was travelling after GCSEs with a 16-year-old friend.

On Instagram yesterday, the Location, Location, Location presenter, wrote: "I thought his trip was inspiring, and it never occurred to me in a million years that a call from children services would be involved, it's been a huge shock, not least for Oscar."

Allsopp said a social worker from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea would not tell her how the referral was made or by whom. She said officials did not appear to understand that she was probably being targeted by someone falsely alleging neglect. The social worker asked what safeguards were put in place for her son's trip.