The High Court has fined a council for what it deemed to be an unacceptably high level of turnover with its social workers, resulting in a breach of a child’s human rights.

The high turnover of social workers in this child’s care proceedings led to a string of errors and omissions which resulted in breaches of the mother and child’s right to a fair trial and their right to private family life.

This case is believed to be the first of its kind, in that it sees a child being awarded damages for botched care proceedings.

Northampton Children’s Services department was fined £17,000. Amongst the catalogue of failings were the decision to place the case with a newly qualified social worker, despite the case involving a 15 day old baby and a chaotic and careless approach to the baby’s life and future.