S-F (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 964 (12 July 2017)

Given the limited and largely opinion-based evidence, and the child's specific needs for ongoing contact and support, the judge was entitled to conclude that long-term fostering was preferable to adoption. The judge applied the correct legal principles and made a decision open to him on the evidence.

Citation: [2017] EWCA Civ 964
Parties: Local Authority: Bristol City Council; Mother: Mother; Father: Father; Child: S-F (A Child)
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 12 July 2017
Procedural Posture: Appeal From Family Court (care and Placement Orders) / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome: Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics: Care Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption, Long Term Fostering, Best Interests of the Child

Family Law Child Law Care Orders Placement Orders Adoption Long Term Fostering Best Interests of the Child

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Parties

Bristol City Council

Local Authority

Mother

Father

S-F (A Child)

Child

Procedural Posture

Appeal From Family Court (care and Placement Orders) / Court of Appeal Judgment

Legal Issues

1 Whether the judge erred in preferring long-term fostering over adoption for the child S-F
2 Whether the evidence supported the refusal of a placement order under the Adoption and Children Act 2002

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

The appeal by the local authority against the refusal to make a placement order is dismissed.