Foster carers are supposed to ensure that vulnerable children are provided with a stable family life if they are unable to live with their parents.
Unfortunately, sometimes foster homes are not the loving setting that they should be. In some cases already vulnerable foster children can experience sexual, physical or emotional abuse, neglect and exploitation. The effects of poor foster care can be serious and long-term. Often children may feel the abuse is somehow their fault. Sometimes children may not understand that what is happening to them is even abuse at the time.
The psychological impact can sometimes stay hidden, only to be triggered by something in adulthood. Whilst compensation cannot remove these problems, it can help with the cost of therapeutic treatment. Sometimes compensation can mean a sense of closure and acceptance is achieved from the difficulties experienced in the past.
Our specialist solicitors at Verisona Law can help you make a claim if you were abused. Contact our caring team for guidance and advice on the options available to you.
We act for most clients on a no win no fee basis, and we can also advise you about making a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
If a foster carer committed the abuse, it is possible to make a claim against the individual foster carer involved. However, the better course of action is potentially to look at a claim against the local authority responsible for selection and monitoring of the foster carer or against the private fostering organisation covering the foster carers, as they are more likely to be insured or have funds to pay claims. Identifying the effective ‘employer’ of the foster carer will be important.
Our experienced team are used to looking closely at the relationship between the abuser and the defendant and between the abuser and the abuse itself. We can advise on the best course of action for bringing your claim.
Understanding and good at what they do. Impressive
Child Abuse
Very friendly and competent service throughout. Would certainly recommend them.
Child Abuse
Would use Verisona services if I required any legal assistance in the future.
Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
Verisona Law courteously and efficiently dealt with our legal requirements. They kept us updated during each stage of the process with clear, concise and competent communication. Many thanks.
Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
Fast service. Was always available. Explanations were good, advice was good.
Child Abuse
I found Verisona Law both very professional and very friendly and understanding of my situation and needs. Would recommend them without hesitation.
Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
I went to Verisona Law because I had been unsatisfied with two previous attempts with other firms. Verisona gave that real sense of service, made.me feel like a client they were happy to assist at all times and ultimately gave the BEST advice and guidance. Dont waste money; go to Verisona FIRST!
Child Abuse
As always clear concise advice & professional service delivered in a friendly 'at ease' manner. Thank you
Child Abuse
My case was very sensitive and brought back many unpleasant memories. However, it was all handled in a professional, kind and understanding way. It made the whole situation easier to tackle, I can now move on with my life. Thanks for all your help and dedication, I finally have closure on this part of my life.
Child Abuse
Very satisfied with my legal representative, very satisfied with their communication, very satisfied with their speed of response to enquiries.
Child Abuse
Very satisfied that they did what we agreed from the outset and the value for money.
Child Abuse
Very satisfied with clear communication, the speed of their responses, and that they did what we agreed at the outset.
Child Abuse
Prompt, courteous, polite and efficient.
Child Abuse
I was very impressed with your support and advice in this matter.
Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
I was grateful for personal contact and meeting at my house. We had a very pleasant and personal meeting at my home and useful discussion.
Child Abuse
I found Verisona Law both very professional and very friendly and understanding of my situation and needs. Would recommend them without hesitation.
Child Abuse
Very satisfied with the approach of the staff and with my legal representative.
Child Abuse
Everything was explained in understandable detail and the team assistant was very friendly and clear spoken. Thankyou.
Child Abuse
Sound, professional service with the stated outcomes being successfully completed. Clear and precise advice given with reference to the specifics and the processes involved.
Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
Fairly satisfied with their communication and very satisfied with their approach and the progress of my matter.
Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
Thank you for all your much appreciated hard work. I will truly never forget your kindness towards me. Your patience, respect and understanding at all times was beyond words. The sincere compassion shown meant more to me than words could ever express. This firm will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Child Abuse
Excellent. Would use Verisona services if I required any legal assistance in the future.
Child Abuse
I am very pleased with the service which I had from the team at Verisona Law Solicitors, I could not had better. Thank you all very much
Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
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Child Abuse
On 18th October 2017, the Supreme Court gave a much-awaited judgement in the case of Armes (NA) -v- Nottinghamshire County Council finding that local authorities are vicariously liable for the actions of foster parents, including abuse on foster children.
The Justices found:
Technically, you have until the age of 21 to issue a claim at court arising from abuse, but if you are older than 21 and you have suffered abuse it may still be possible to succeed with the claim. The courts understand that there are many reasons why victims of abuse may not be able to come forward sooner and can in some circumstances extent the time limit for bringing a claim.
Verisona Law will support you in this type of claim and are experienced at collecting evidence to show the courts exactly why the claim could not be made sooner and why it should be allowed outside the usual time limit.
We have assisted many child abuse victims to win their cases. We understand how hard it can be to talk about the abuse, but we are here to support you at your own pace and are sensitive to your needs, both in terms of trying to achieve rehabilitation and therapy, at the same time as seeking justice and closure.
We represented ROX who suffered serious sexual abuse at the hands of her foster carer for the period of one month in 1997, and for which criminal convictions against the foster carer were secured in 2012. In fact this claim was also combined with a serious claim for negligence against the local authority social services department for failure to remove ROX from severe sexual abuse being perpetrated by her biological mother and other numerous men she was bringing to the family home. As a result of the abuse ROX developed severe mental health problems including PTSD, as well as a linked excessive sweating condition & partially caused incontinence condition.
Fortunately for ROX she had managed to do well for herself in terms of career progression having eventually received loving care and support from her adoptive parents. We secured £60,000 compensation, including compensation to help her obtain the treatment she needed.
