Social workers put 3-year-old girl up for adoption. Says grandparents are too old to care for her

Social workers have allegedly put up 3-year-old girl for adoption because her grandparents are to old to care for her. 

The 58-year-old grandmother and the 70-year-old grandfather, from Shoebury, Essex, have both been caring for the little girl since her mother was taken into hospital with depression six months ago.

They say they were initially told the girl would be put up for fostering but that now - just six months after her mother was taken ill - Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has put the girl up for adoption.

The couple claim they were told they cannot care for the girl because they are too old. But the council denied that age was a deciding factor when assessing prospective carers.

It said social workers had an obligation to provide a 'caring, stable and permanent home' for children in its care. 

The grandfather, who's name  cannot be mentioned  for some legal reasons, said: 'We looked after her well and she was quite happy. She knows us well and has spent a lot of time with us