SWINDON social services is investigating how a report on a young girl taken into care was sent to the wrong address.

The confidential document includes highly sensitive information about why the five-year-old was taken from her parents.

In an embarrassing blunder, it was mistakenly sent to the home of an elderly Swindon woman who shared the same name as the child's grandmother.

The recipient was on social services' database as she had a history of mental health problems.

She died a few weeks before the report was sent on January 4, and it was only discovered when her daughter-in-law visited the house to sort through belongings.

Included in the 12 pages are details of the girl's mother, foster carer, social worker, doctor and teachers.

It was compiled following a review of the case and included the fact that her father is in prison.

The council used powers under the Children's Act to take her into care 18 months ago.

The woman who found the dossier was so appalled she contacted Swindon Council on two occasions in a bid to return it. She also wanted an explanation from departmental director Keith Skerman, who was unavailable to speak to her.

The woman who is 52 and from Purton was horrified by what she read.

She was concerned about what could have happened if the report had fallen into the wrong hands, and accused the council of incompetence.

Coun Ian Dobie, the lead member for social services, said: "We are obviously concerned because it appears to be an administrative error and we should have had processes in place to prevent it from happening.

"When the woman called us however, she asked to meet the director of social services but would not say why. Obviously his secretary said that was not possible."