The behaviour of a boy at the centre of a compensation claim was "not that abnormal" before his adoption, the High Court has heard.

The child's adoptive parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are suing Essex County Council for the damage they claim the boy caused to their family and home.

They said the council was negligent in failing to disclose reports the boy was "uncontrollable and vicious".

Consultant social worker, Sarah Borthwick, who was called as an expert witness for the council, told Mr Justice Buckley she would "expect some of this kind of behaviour" in a child going through the adoption process.

Written records

The child, who was five at the time of the adoption in 1996, is now back in local authority care.

Mrs Borthwick was asked by the couple's barrister Gavin Millar QC, whether she would expect written records to be kept of conversations with prospective adopters.

She said it would be "good practice" to do so, but it did not always happen.

The court also heard from social worker Margaret Bishop, called as an expert witness for the couple.

Respite care

She said: "Respite care should have been discussed fully with them and they should have met whoever was going to offer this."

Cross-examining her, Edward Faulks QC, for the council, asked whether the parents should have been forced to accept support even if they said they did not need it.

Ms Bishop said if the couple had refused support, "I would be concerned".

She was also asked whether she was aware that some children from disturbed backgrounds do not display difficult behaviour until later.

She said: "Yes, but you could prepare someone for that up to a point by sharing some of the child's history with the parents."

The case was adjourned until Monday when the judge will receive written final submissions and he will reserve judgement until a later date.