Sensitive child data released in SCRA ‘mistake’

EXCLUSIVE: Child protection inquiry launched

A child protection probe is under way after a letter laying bare a troubled young teenager’s underage sexual exploits and traumatic past was sent to a stranger.

The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) has admitted blundering by revealing intimate details about the vulnerable 14-year-old girl.

Detailed information was sent to a mum whose daughter shares temporary foster care with the youngster, leaving her fearing for her own child’s safety.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has called for an urgent investigation into all aspects of the case.

She said :“My daughter is living with this girl and I would never have known the danger she was in if it hadn’t been for this mistake.”

The SCRA has apologised unreservedly for the “distress and anxiety” caused and said it would review its procedures if necessary.

A horrified mum has called for action after an official blunder led to her finding out her daughter has been taken into care alongside a troubled teen whose underage sexual misadventures have ruined her life.

The parent, who cannot be named for legal reasons, fears that her own impressionable and even younger daughter could be dragged into the same dangerous world.

She learned of the 14-year-old’s troubled past after she was sent highly confidential information by mistake.

The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) has apologised for the mistake and promised a full investigation.

It has responsibility for protecting at risk and vulnerable youngsters across Scotland but admitted it had made a mistake.

The documents detailed a life of “extreme emotional trauma” and a vulnerable youngster who engaged in “risk taking” and “attention seeking” behaviour.

They revealed that she had a “history of telling lies” and of “living in a chaotic world of make believe” from which she showed no sign of escaping.

The letters also made clear how she compensated for low self-esteem by throwing herself at boys – often much older – and sending nude photographs.

The writer of the letter revealed that such behaviour was always regretted but that the same mistakes were then repeated again and again.

The angry mum, who is working to see her daughter returned to the family home in Perth, said: “I know that accidents happen and we are all human, but this is an extremely bad accident.

“This was private and highly confidential information about a child and clearly I should never have seen it.

“It was within information about my own daughter, who is sharing foster accommodation with this child, and at first I didn’t know what I was reading.

“Some of the information contained in the documents is heart-breaking and I feel for the girl.

“Despite that, I can’t help but be absolutely devastated to read that this girl is living beside my daughter.

“If this is what is happening in her life it gives me great concern. Is she talking to my daughter and leading her into this life?

“I would never have known the danger she was in if it hadn’t been for this mistake.

“The authorities need to look at all aspects of this very carefully.”

A spokesperson for the SCRA made a frank admission, saying: “We have already launched an investigation into why this has happened.

“Since we have been made aware of this, we have been making every effort to retrieve the paperwork.

“We fully accept the distress and anxiety this could cause and apologise to everyone affected by this.

“Protecting the confidentiality of children and families involved in the Children’s Hearings System is a priority for SCRA.

“We are continuing to take rigorous steps to ensure our systems and processes are as secure as they can be.”