Social workers are facing an inquiry after a teenage boy hanged himself over allegations of sexual abuse by a foster child.

The claims, believed to be false, were made against him by his mother's seven-year-old foster daughter.

Although the foster carer did not believe the claims she was obliged to pass them on to social workers at Merton Council, an authority whose social services department was severely criticised in February for failing children in its care.

The foster mother's 16-year-old son spent the weekend worrying that the girl would be believed and that his mother would not be allowed to foster any more children.

He was found by his mother hanging in his bedroom and may also have taken an overdose.

The foster family had moved from Merton to a town outside London, taking with them the girl they had been fostering for several months.

When the foster mother reported the allegations, Merton should have immediately alerted the authorities near the family's new home but failed to act quickly enough.

It was in the days of uncertainty which followed that the teenager took his life. An inquest was opened and adjourned in March pending an inquiry into the case.

The girl, who may have been previously sexually abused before being put into care, has now been removed from the family by local social services and returned to Merton.

Independent councillor Mark Thompson said the episode proved council chiefs were failing vulnerable people.

He added: "The problem is, they don't act. I honestly believe heads should roll now. We are getting to the stage where the council stands accused of gross incompetence and a total lack of professionalism which is putting people at risk.

"This is a very, very disturbing case. This borough has a terrible reputation and we really do appear to have a major problem in our social services department."

The case is the latest setback for the authority following a damning report by Government social services watchdogs.

A report by the Social Services Inspectorate singled out the council's duty team for "not providing a safe and responsive service" and demanded that children at risk get a "sufficiently prompt, timely and effective response".

The council was put on a programme of special measures, placing it under a regime of monthly inspections by the Social Services Inspectorate.

The new director of social services and housing, Rea Mattocks, has appointed a new manager, Martin Hayles, to oversee changes.

A new manager has also been appointed for the duty team who are supposed to be the first point of call when children are at risk.

Merton borough council confirmed that an inquiry has been launched but refused to comment on the circumstances of the case.

Ms Mattocks said: "This is a tragic set of circumstances and our thoughts are with the families involved."

Used courtesy of the London Evening Standard