The parents of a child in the care of Powys County Council, were not “informed as a priority” that their son had been admitted to hospital following an attempt to kill himself, a report has revealed.

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, Michelle Morris has upheld a complaint that the council breached the human rights of a child in care known as “B” and the child’s parents known as Mr and Mrs A.

Powys County Council has said that they have apologised to the family.

The report explained that Mr and Mrs A lodged a complaint on behalf of their son, B, that the council failed to safeguard and promote his welfare as a looked after child (“LAC”) in the care of Powys.

They were also unhappy about how the council managed their complaint.

The Ombudsman noted that the council’s internal investigation into the issues had noted how Powys had: “failed to keep Mr and Mrs A informed of arrangements for B, including informing them as a priority when B had been admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt.”

The report said: “This lack of transparency and administrative failings caused an avoidable breakdown in the relationship between Mr and Mrs A and the council.”

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter