Hysterical press coverage of child protection cases is nothing new.
But "Victims of the child snatchers," a typical headline from the DailyMail's crusade against Essex County Council's decision to place twochildren for adoption, has provoked outrage across the sector. The Essexcase came to the Mail's attention after a High Court judge agreed withEssex social services that a four-year-old girl and 14-month-old boywould be at risk of harm if they remained with their parents. The motherhas learning difficulties and the father a low IQ.
BAAF Adoption & Fostering has described the coverage as "dangerous andwrong" and has written to MPs to highlight its concerns. "Theseaccusations will fuel mistrust in the system and could lead to fewerparents in need of help coming forward," it warns.
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