Head of social services Keith SkermanWhile a joint inquiry into the Swindon incest case is under way, police and social services indicate the six children born to the 31-year-old woman made repeatedly pregnant by her father are well cared for.

AN investigation has been launched to find out how a man got away with fathering six children with his daughter.

And the police, social services and health professionals all agree that the six children are being well cared for by their mother and should remain with her.

The offender was jailed for 15 years for sexually abusing his daughter over a period of 20 years, which included raping her, committing incest and indecently assaulting her.

Now, Swindon Council's Social Services Department, the Swindon Primary Care Trust and Wiltshire Constabulary are being reviewed to see whether there are lessons to be learned for the future.

Three of the children born from the relationship suffer from genetic disorders and are seriously disabled.

The father and daughter cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The inquiry, which began in April, is being carried out by an independent consultant approved by the Social Services Inspectorate and the results will be known in October.

Keith Skerman, director of Social Services at Swindon Council, said: "I'd like to emphasise that we were not made aware of these serious allegations until shortly before the sixth child was born.

"The children were then placed under a protective order. All contact that we have had with the children suggested that they were, and continue to be, well cared for by their mother."

The father and daughter were arrested last November, which led to the man's conviction at Swindon Crown Court on Monday.

The abuse began when the victim was eight or nine years old and resulted in her being raped when she was aged 16, the court heard.

The prosecution said that when the victim asked her father to stop, he used emotional blackmail to persuade her to submit to the incest and she didn't tell others because she was frightened.

The woman gave birth to her first child when she was 19 and told the family the father was a central heating engineer. The paternity of the rest of her children was apparently not raised by the family.

Superintendent Kevin Maidment, head of community safety and criminal justice for Wiltshire Constabulary, said: "As a result of information that came to light, a multi-agency investigation was conducted. The nature of the offences was such that it was difficult for the agencies involved to investigate the situation.

"However, in light of the issues uncovered and the seriousness of the offences, the agencies have initiated a review of this case. Until this independent review has concluded, we are unable to comment further at this stage."

The offender must serve at least two-thirds of the 15-year-sentence and has been placed on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Christine Atkinson, from the NSPCC, said: "Most child sex abuse is committed by family members or others already known to the child such as friends, neighbours or those in a position of authority or responsibility over them. Such abuse can continue for years, and sometimes into adulthood.

"NSPCC research shows that only a quarter of young people who suffer sexual abuse in their childhood tell anyone about it at the time."

Anyone who has concerns about a child or is a victim of sexual abuse themselves can seek help from Swindon Social Services on 01793 466903, call the NSPCC's 24hr helpline on 0808 800 5000 or Childline on 0800 1111.