Woman agrees six figure out-of-court settlement with council after her adoption of two-year-old boy broke down

A woman has been paid an out-of-court settlement from South Lanarkshire Council after her adoption of a two-year-old boy broke down.

She argued the council failed to provide her with enough background information on the child and did not support her during the placement.

Ms Maguire told BBC Scotland the child barely slept, hated being cuddled and self-harmed by banging his head.

She added: "For hours on end he was inconsolable. It was horrific to watch. […] he would be hanging from my hair or he would hit me about the head, the nose, the mouth.”

It later emerged that the child had a serious underlying medical condition which she was not told about.

The adoption took place in 2013, and broke down after just four months. Following this, Ms Maguire sought legal advice.

Elizabeth Rose, from L&M Medilaw, suggested that the lack of information provided to the woman prior to the boy being placed in her care, and lack of support during the placement, meant there was scope for the law to be tested.

She told BBC Scotland: “In this certain situation there were issues with the matching and assessment period prior to placement and I think it was time that the law challenged this.

"Essentially insufficient information was given to my client and as a result she wasn't able to make an informed decision, and even when the placement started there was insufficient support given."

To settle the case, the council paid Ms Maguire an undisclosed sum – understood to be more than £100,000.

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We always aim to provide full support to any prospective adoptive parents.

“Our policy for practice reflects national standards and regulatory requirements. […] Support is offered following adoption which we endeavour to tailor to the needs of the child.”

It added that it would be “inappropriate” for it to comment on individual cases.

Lottie Winson