THE council will not take disciplinary action against staff after the local government ombudsman found their inaction worsened the suffering of a sexually abused girl.

Ombudsman Tony Redmond's report concluded the council failed to take proper account of the victim's needs, but he did not make a recommendation for disciplinary action.

The council was found to have failed to assess her need for social care support or provide her with educational support, even though she was absent from school for long periods.

The girl, now an adult, was raped while on holiday when she was just 13, sexually abused by a neighbour and described as being extremely troubled, depressed and suicidal.

But her repeated requests for help from the council between 2004 and 2008 fell on deaf ears, Mr Redmond found.

The girl, known as Miss Smith as her real name cannot be revealed, also gave three days of evidence at the trial of her abuser without support from family or social services.

The council has, however, confirmed staff have been spoken to and an action plan is being put in place following the report.

Cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Liaquat Ali has also issued an unreserved apology to Miss Smith.

He added: “I have discussed the Ombudsman’s findings with staff and an action plan is currently being developed to ensure all recommendations of the report are put into practice.

“As part of this action plan, social workers and senior staff alike will all undergo training to develop and improve their skills further, specifically regarding complaints procedures.”

The report ordered the authority to review complaint handling as well as the way it deals with children in need.

Mr Redmond concluded that although the council initially responded appropriately to contact with Miss Smith, later assessments by six different social workers were inadequate.

He also said the council failed in its duty to work with other agencies involved and although she was finally deemed a child in need, this should have been done earlier.

Miss Smith said the main cause of her distress was that the council refused to take responsibility after she made a formal complaint.

The council was found guilty of maladministration causing injustice and ordered to pay £7,000 in compensation as well as apologising.