A FAMILY who adopted children were let down by the authorities after one of the adoptive parents was diagnosed with terminal illness and died.

The complaint had been raised by the surviving parent, stating that East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (EAHSCP) had failed to support them when they needed it most, following the diagnosis of their partner’s illness.

The complaint was upheld by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).

In their report, the SPSO did not identify the couple. They said that the complainer (who they titled C) and their late spouse had adopted a number of siblings outside of their local authority area.

The report said: “C complained about the lack of post-adoption support provided by the partnership, including lack of adoption support plans and lack of support provided to C and the children during C’s spouse’s diagnosis with terminal illness and subsequent death. C also raised concerns regarding the impact the lack of support had on the adoption.”

The complaint also included issues about communication and the documented records of actions.

The report continued: “We took independent advice from a social work adviser.

“We found that the partnership failed to meet its legal and regulatory obligations across a number of areas, including case recording and documentation, supervision visits, and the provision of Adoption Support Plans when this was requested by the adoptive parents.

“We found that exceptional support was identified as being needed for this family and the partnership failed to provide this.

“We considered that the partnership’s failure to provide adequate support to the family was likely to be a contributory factor to the breakdown in the adoption.

“We also found that some communication between the partnership and C was unreasonable.

“While later communication was more reasonable, there was a lack of awareness of the impact of the failure in service at the start of the placement on the relationship, and we considered this unreasonable.”

The Ombudsman asked EAHSP to apologise for the ‘failing to maintain a reasonable level of contact and support with them and their family’.

They also listed changes the partnership should make to address the issues. This includes the review of Adoption Support Plans, particularly when there have been major changes.

They added: “Children should be visited within one week of placement and as deemed appropriate thereafter until

adoption is granted. Recordings of these visits should be made.

“There should be adequate communication at all times during a fostering and adoption placement that is appropriate, open, accurate, and fully takes into account the needs of the placement.”

Marion MacAulay, Head of Children’s Health, Care and Justice Services, East Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “We fully accept the findings and recommendations and we are working towards implementation.”