Failings in the care of three children by Black Country social workers have led to major changes in the handling of similar cases, a court was told.

The admission came after a major review was ordered by a judge into Wolverhampton social service’s handling of the care of three children, for whom key files have gone missing.

Wolverhampton County Court heard how the city council failed to produce an acceptable plan for the future of the two brothers and a sister, who are all under the age of 15.

This was despite being in control of their upbringing since January last year.

Council barrister Catherine Gargan told the hearing yesterday: “The contact notes went missing as a result of human error and there were no copies.

“A new system has been put in place ensuring that the originals are no longer sent for typing.

“Two photocopies are made. One is sent for typing while the other is immediately lodged in the case file.”

The admission came as an extra £440,000 was pumped into the department to cope with extra work triggered by the recession and the Baby Peter tragedy. Eight social workers are to be recruited in the next two months.

Lack of preparation by the council for the case stunned officials. An expert said: “I have never known anything as bad as this during 20 years in the job.”

Private discussions yesterday involved the social services team manager in overall charge, the contact supervisor and the latest social worker appointed to the case. The three children involved were made subject of interim care orders amid concerns about the ability of the mother to adequately care for them. Care plans for the youngsters were said to be “woefully out of date.”