Parents to meet experts on contested medical condition

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Friday, 10 February 2023 06:00

By Gavin McEwan - Local Democracy Reporter

Herefordshire families will meet specialists today to hear about a rare psychological condition which has been used as a reason to take children in the county into care.

A human rights lawyer and research academic will discuss parents’ concerns about allegations of FII (fabricating or inducing a child’s illness) at Hereford Rowing Club, Greyfirars Avenue, Hereford from noon to 2pm (Friday, February 10).

University of Leeds law professor Luke Clements and Leigh Day solicitor Sarah Westoby were invited to the event in response to parents’ concerns that the number of allegations of FII appears disproportionately higher in Herefordshire than in the rest of the country.

Professor Clements and colleagues are investigating the prevalence of FII allegations in England, and he will outline their findings so far.

Ms Westoby meanwhile has been contacted by families who are dealing with the aftermath of FII allegations.

“I will be interested to hear families’ stories and to consider whether we would be able to help them by investigating their cases further,” she said.

The meeting is free to attend, with no booking required.

It was claimed at a full meeting of Herefordshire Council last July that the rate at which FII is used as a reason to take children into care in the county is a hundred times the national average – a claim council officials deny.