Foster carers blacklisted over false assault claims have reached a settlement of over £25,000 with a local authority after a four-year legal battle.
Diane Boyle and husband Karl were robbed of their livelihoods and forced to sell their home after being removed from the carers’ register by North Lanarkshire Council.
The Sunday Mail revealed their fight for justice in 2018. The couple, from Motherwell, had fostered 67 children over a 17-year period.
Allegations of assault were made against Diane by two teenagers who had been in her care.
The boys claimed she attacked them several times in the family home.
Devout Christian Diane stood trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court in December 2017. She was cleared of four assault charges and one charge of threatening behaviour.
Witnesses on her behalf included a Sunday School teacher, a council social worker and the grandparents of the boys who made the allegations.
But Diane and Karl were removed from the foster carers’ register despite the not guilty verdicts and an appeal against the council’s decision was rejected.
Backed by the Independent Workers Union, they prepared a case for unfair dismissal against the council.
The authority argued that, as foster carers, they were not employees of the council and the claim was invalid.
Diane, 53, and Karl, 59, were set to give evidence at Glasgow Tribunals Centre but a settlement was reached shortly before the four-day hearing was to begin. The Boyles said they weren’t allowed to speak publicly about the outcome.
But a friend and fellow member of Motherwell’s New Craig Community Church said: “Karl and Diane are to be highly commended for the commitment they made over 17 years to many children in need of support, care and love.
“They have maintained their dignity throughout this troubling experience, where their resolve was tested to the limit and character questioned. I’m glad they’ve been vindicated.
“It may not sound like an awful lot of money after everything they have been through but they are glad it’s finally over.”
Previously Diane said: “I was cleared in court but the council condemned me. We were told by North Lanarkshire Council we did not have the skills to meet the needs of foster children. We found that incredible given our history as carers.
“We made ourselves available to the council 24 hours a day for 17 years. They took advantage of that.”
Karl added: “Over many years working with the council, there were no issues over the care of the children we fostered. If welfare and safety of the youngsters was the main issue, why did they place so many with us over such a long period?”
North Lanarkshire Council was approached for comment but refused
to discuss the case. A spokesperson for the Glasgow Tribunals Centre said: “I can confirm the case has been settled.”
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