Foster carer had criminal record before he was approved

A man later convicted of abusing children had 26 prior convictions before becoming a foster carer, and Glasgow City Council says it is investigating what it knew after a historic complaint was reported.

A couple were found guilty this week of cruel and unnatural treatment of children placed in their care between 1986 and 1991. The BBC reports the man had 26 previous convictions, mainly for dishonesty, before he and his wife began fostering in 1986, and a former foster child has said she reported abuse to social workers in 1999. Glasgow City Council says it is investigating that complaint and what it knew about the man's criminal history, and it has stated that foster approval processes have since been strengthened. Known facts: - The couple were convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week of cruel and unnatural treatment of six children placed with them between 1986 and 1991. - The BBC identified 26 earlier convictions for the man, mainly for theft, housebreaking and handling stolen goods, with his last conviction before fostering recorded in 1978. - A former foster child reported abuse to social work staff in 1999 and a council letter from that time references a desire to make a formal complaint. - Glasgow City Council says it is investigating the 1999 complaint and reviewing what its social work department knew, and it has said current foster approval arrangements now have greater oversight. Summary: The convictions have raised questions about historic vetting and oversight of foster carers and prompted an official review. Glasgow City Council has said it will examine the details of the historic case while investigators consider the 1999 complaint. Undetermined at this time.