AW (A Child: Application to Revoke Placement Order: Leave to Oppose Adoption) [2013] EWHC 2967 (Fam) (16 August 2013)

AW (A Child: Application to Revoke Placement Order: Leave to Oppose Adoption) [2013] EWHC 2967 (Fam) (16 August 2013)

The parents failed to demonstrate a sufficient change of circumstances since the placement order was made. Their concealment of the mother's pregnancy and lack of sustained engagement with therapeutic and support services evidenced no real change in their ability to work openly and honestly with professionals. The welfare of AW, who had settled with her prospective adopters, required stability and permanence, and exposing her to further disruption would risk significant harm. Leave to oppose the adoption was refused.

Citation
[2013] EWHC 2967 (Fam)
Parties
Mother: NT; Father: AA; Local Authority: London Borough of Croydon; Prospective Adopters/intervenors: Mr and Mrs A; Children's Guardian: Barbara Newton
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 August 2013
Procedural Posture
Family / Application to Revoke Placement Order and for Leave to Oppose Adoption
Outcome
Application for leave to oppose adoption refused; placement order not revoked.
Legal Topics
Adoption, Placement Orders, Leave to Oppose Adoption, Change of Circumstances, Child Welfare
Family Law Child Law Adoption Placement Orders Leave to Oppose Adoption Change of Circumstances Child Welfare

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Parties

NT

Mother

AA

Father

London Borough of Croydon

Local Authority

Mr and Mrs A

Prospective Adopters/intervenors

Barbara Newton

Children's Guardian

Procedural Posture

Family / Application to Revoke Placement Order and for Leave to Oppose Adoption

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether there has been a sufficient change of circumstances since the placement order to justify revocation or to grant leave to oppose adoption
  2. 2 Whether the welfare of the child requires granting leave to oppose adoption

Ratio Decidendi

The parents failed to demonstrate a sufficient change of circumstances since the placement order was made. Their concealment of the mother's pregnancy and lack of sustained engagement with therapeutic and support services evidenced no real change in their ability to work openly and honestly with professionals. The welfare of AW, who had settled with her prospective adopters, required stability and permanence, and exposing her to further disruption would risk significant harm. Leave to oppose the adoption was refused.

Court Disposition

Application for leave to oppose adoption refused; placement order not revoked.

Orders

  • Leave to oppose the adoption of AW is refused.
  • AW to remain with Mr and Mrs A as her prospective adopters.