Sueing authorities for compensation

[Crow]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any experiences that they are happy to share regarding taking legal action against authorities who failed them?
It has been pointed out to me that I could attempt to claim compensation for failings of social services, and I have done a little research but wonder if it's possibly unlikely I'll win. I want to hold them to account for their failures and seek some kind of justice.

I didn't know about social services' involvement with our family until mid 2019 when I talked to my abuser. I didn't know really what they did or how long they were involved.
But since July last year I received 122 pages of redacted copies of records from them, and this proves that they failed me after my disclosure in 1997 (5 years after they were originally involved with my family and we were taken off of the child protection register). They dismissed my report and recorded 'no further action'.
It's disgraceful!
I have just started properly looking at these records.

There won't be any doctor records of anything that I am aware of. The only proof I have of abuse is the five years of records that I have copies of that relate to myself, and the records of my disclosure to school and subsequent referral to social services.
Why am I considering sueing the local authority? Partly because of holding them to account for the effect of ignoring me after a courageous disclosure, and the fact that to access the help I need for the effect it has had on me, I need money for private counselling.
I could use a 'no win no fee' child abuse specialist lawyer too.

There is also this... I am having trouble at work. Where do I work? The local authority that failed me! Why did I take a job there? I had been unemployed for half a year. Did I know they failed me then? No. (I found that out shockingly in July when I received the records.)
With the recent trouble and injustice at work, and the fact that I told my manager about the childhood abuse and its effects on me, and the fact I'm being ignored, feelings disregarded, and not taken seriously by my employer... just as I was after my disclosure in '97... by the same authority that failed me as a child... who I work for now. Can't help that I am triggered!!!
That's also why I can't go back from sick leave!

Sorry to go off topic there. Any advice? I'm UK by the way.

Also, I am not sure what the process would look like. I don't want stress. I also assume that I would need to give the lawyer copies of the records that I hold for proof, and I'm concerned from a data protection point of view what would happen to them.
Please don't see this as me trying to get one over on my employer. For the most part they have been supportive and helpful up until recently. The triggers are the triggers, that cannot be helped I guess. Since July I have struggled in that I work for that authority. I don't work in children's services but just working there leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I would of course wait until I have left employment with them before taking any action.
The overriding thing is the financial help I could get towards helping myself, and I think they owe me that.

Crow

[Kokoschka]

Morning Crow,
What comes to mind is an organization offering counseling and pro bono lawyers to take on your case and approach the child care authorities on your behalf. They should be in the position to tell you what the chances are of suing and winning here. I hope it works out for you and that you can find some peace of mind. Kokoschka

[Crow]

Thanks Kokoschka. I hadn't even considered pro bono, so thank you for giving me another avenue to look at.
Hope your day has been good. (I read about your poor calico kitty... cannot believe the vet could get away with that!) Anyway, I'll not push this off topic. Hoping you are well.

Crow

[Kokoschka]

Morning Crow,
You're welcome, hope this is an option.

As for poor Amy, yeah, the more l think about it the madder l get. We don't print money here and finances are really very tight. And l had emphasized our financial situation to that person more than once but l guess she doesn't lift a hand for less than the highest amount. No wonder she owns 3 clinics Kokoschka

[Crow]

I'd go pull all her teeth out and see how she likes it!
Some people...