to go to the press?

[MyRealNameIsBrian]

My Local Authority Childrens' Services Department have accidentally posted me the confidential information of 21 local children who have been under the safeguarding team.
This information is the childrens' full names, dates of birth, parents names, and full addresses. For some of the children their school or other information is also included.

I was expecting some post from them but in the envelope was about 8 extra pages containing this information.

The department is in Special Measures.

Last year they breached the data protection act by disclosing my personal information to someone who should not have had it, which put me at risk. I did an official complaint about that and was not satisfied with the outcome.

When I realised what was in the envelope I was shaking with rage.

I contacted the Information Commissioner, they said to email the Data Protection team at the local authority, and then to fill in their online form with a copy of my email. I emailed the LA.

Then I rang the local paper (totally anonymously with my number withheld) they were very interested and thought that I had contacted them previously, which I haven't so it must have been someone else in a similar position.

My LA then contacted me asking to return the information. What should I do? I don't trust the LA to investigate properly or to stop it happening again.

WIBU to not return the information but to ring the press with full details?

I'd go to the press too. And Ofsted, and every other authority I could think of. They're not going to publish the names and addresses involved.

I foster and my local children's services is dangerously useless (special measures). We've just had a big story come out and they're all busy covering their own backsides and smearing each other rather than actually doing anything constructive. It really worries me

Several times I've been sent information about the wrong child, or information I shouldn't have, while they withhold really important information that I need to safeguard my own family. It's a total joke - except it isn't, as it involves real people in real abusive situations

OP are you on the south coast?

MP and papers yes. if it needs funding this sort of thing would help not hinder, not hiding away catastrophic problems

I'd take it as high as you can go with the LA. I would not involve the press.

I would demand the name of the highest person in the LA and tell them about your previous breach and the current situation. I would do all this in writing and request answers back in writing as to what they propose to do now. Keep a paper trail as then they can't wriggle out of anything.

Don't just hand them over with no paper trail.