London Borough of Tower Hamlets v The Mother & Ors

London Borough of Tower Hamlets v The Mother & Ors

Adoption is the only option that meets ST's need for stability, safety, and permanence, given the risks and dysfunction in his immediate and extended family, the inability of W to reliably meet his complex needs alongside her own children's needs, and the inadequacy of other options. The threshold for care and placement orders is met, and it is necessary and proportionate to dispense with parental consent for adoption.

Parties
Applicant Local Authority: London Borough of Tower Hamlets; First Respondent: The Mother; Second Respondent: The Father; Applicant for Special Guardianship Order/sixth Respondent: W; Subject Child/third Respondent: ST (the child)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 September 2025
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Order Proceedings (family) / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing
Outcome
Care order and placement order made; special guardianship application dismissed; parental consent to adoption dispensed with.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption, Special Guardianship, Welfare of the Child, Threshold Criteria, Contact, Parental Responsibility, Dispensing With Parental Consent
Family Law Child Protection Care Orders Placement Orders Adoption Special Guardianship Welfare of the Child Threshold Criteria +3 more

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Parties

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Applicant Local Authority

The Mother

First Respondent

The Father

Second Respondent

W

Applicant for Special Guardianship Order/sixth Respondent

ST (the child)

Subject Child/third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Order Proceedings (family) / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the threshold for care and placement orders is met for ST
  2. 2 Whether adoption is necessary and proportionate for ST's welfare
  3. 3 Whether special guardianship with W is a realistic and preferable option

Ratio Decidendi

Adoption is the only option that meets ST's need for stability, safety, and permanence, given the risks and dysfunction in his immediate and extended family, the inability of W to reliably meet his complex needs alongside her own children's needs, and the inadequacy of other options. The threshold for care and placement orders is met, and it is necessary and proportionate to dispense with parental consent for adoption.

Court Disposition

Care order and placement order made; special guardianship application dismissed; parental consent to adoption dispensed with.

Orders

  • Care order in favour of the Local Authority for ST
  • Placement order authorising adoption of ST