AN investigation is underway into practices at a former children’s home after a woman claimed a member of staff had an inappropriate relationship with her in the early 1980s.

The woman, now in her 40s, said she was groomed by the man from the age of 15 while in care.

She claimed the staff member responsible brought her gifts and treated her like a daughter – but when she was 17 and still in local authority care he began having sexual contact with her.

But she said he waited until she left The Close children's home in Brompton, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, before embarking on a full sexual relationship.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) is carrying out an “independent complaints investigation” into the case while North Yorkshire Police have conducted an investigation.

Police confirmed that they had received a complaint but will take no further action - unless further evidence comes to light.

The victim, who has asked not to be identified, said she was told by police that a new “grooming law” was introduced in 2003 and had the allegations happened after that date, the worker could have been prosecuted.

The man no longer works for the county council. The Close is believed to have later become a remand centre before finally closing.

The victim told The Northern Echo: “I never thought he was abusing me at the time. All I wanted was his approval but when I look back I know that he was manipulating me to have sex.

"He would play mind games and try to control me but I was so naive I didn’t know what he was doing.

“Then he moved the boundaries and took it on to a sexual relationship. He told me boys my own age were no good and were only after one thing.

“He was being paid to take care of me and the others in the home but actually he was being paid to groom me for a sexual relationship.

"I used to sit waiting for his visits and I was completely besotted with him, because he made me feel safe. Now I look back and I feel like he took part of my young life away.”

She said she hoped that going public with her story would encourage more potential victims from children’s homes to come forward.