Shock Data Breach Hits Portsmouth Children's Social Care
Social Worker Exposes Sensitive Child Abuse Details
An investigation has been launched into Portsmouth children’s social care after a serious data protection blunder. A newly qualified social worker, reportedly behind on her work, rushed through a crucial child protection assessment. She failed to remove sensitive information before passing the file to an outside party.
The leaked data included horrifying details of a family member’s childhood sexual abuse and other personal information about relatives.
Warnings Ignored, Complaint Buried
According to an anonymous insider, the issue was flagged with the social worker and her manager back in April – but both ignored the warnings. Senior management wasn’t informed, allowing the breach to go unaddressed.
Attempts to reach the complaints compliance team were met with silence. A written letter had to be physically dropped off at Portsmouth City Council, only for it to be lost before finally reaching a higher department.
“We eventually got a response, but it didn’t satisfy us,” said a concerned source. “We’re taking this to independent bodies. It’s shocking that such a massive breach could be swept under the rug. Something has to be done.”
Campaigners Call for Independent Probe
The Information Commissioner’s Office and the Human Rights Committee have been notified, with hopes they will launch a full investigation. Critics doubt the council will be transparent about the breach or publish any findings.
Attempts to get a comment from Portsmouth City Council were ignored at the time of publication.
