Bolton council has defended its social services practices after two of its foster parents were convicted of cruelty against two young sisters.
The council said the parents had "effectively concealed" their treatment of the girls from "a wide range of workers in education, social services and health".
An internal review had shown that the foster carers were recruited, assessed and approved using a nationally recommended framework, including police checks and references.
The council also refuted claims in newspapers that the foster parents, both lesbians, had been recruited as part of a pilot scheme to attract gay couples and single parents into fostering.
"If there was a pilot scheme it's news to us," said a spokesman.
The couple, Lesley Broughton and Lynne Sheridan, were both handed community punishment orders.
