T (A Child) (Non-Agency Adoption), Re

T (A Child) (Non-Agency Adoption), Re

T's lifelong welfare requires that she remain with Mr and Mrs X, her foster carers, as removal would cause trauma akin to bereavement. The statutory requirements for non-agency adoption are met, and the mother's consent is dispensed with as required by T's welfare. The importance of the sibling relationship with R is recognised and protected by a post-adoption contact order, but does not outweigh the harm of disrupting T's secure attachment to Mr and Mrs X.

Parties
Applicants: Mr and Mrs X; First Respondent: The Mother; Second Respondent: London Borough of Ealing; Third Respondent: London Borough of Hounslow; Fourth Respondent: T (by her Guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
26 February 2026
Procedural Posture
Adoption and Injunction / Final Judgment After Conjoined Hearing
Outcome
Adoption order granted in favour of Mr and Mrs X; post-adoption contact order made.
Legal Topics
Non Agency Adoption, Injunctions, Sibling Placement, Post Adoption Contact, Dispensing With Parental Consent, Welfare Checklist, Delay in Care Planning
Family Law Child Law Non Agency Adoption Injunctions Sibling Placement Post Adoption Contact Dispensing With Parental Consent Welfare Checklist +1 more

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Parties

Mr and Mrs X

Applicants

The Mother

First Respondent

London Borough of Ealing

Second Respondent

London Borough of Hounslow

Third Respondent

T (by her Guardian)

Fourth Respondent

Procedural Posture

Adoption and Injunction / Final Judgment After Conjoined Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether T should be adopted by her foster carers (Mr and Mrs X) or placed for adoption with her half-sister R and R's adoptive family
  2. 2 Whether the statutory requirements for non-agency adoption are met
  3. 3 Whether parental consent should be dispensed with

Ratio Decidendi

T's lifelong welfare requires that she remain with Mr and Mrs X, her foster carers, as removal would cause trauma akin to bereavement. The statutory requirements for non-agency adoption are met, and the mother's consent is dispensed with as required by T's welfare. The importance of the sibling relationship with R is recognised and protected by a post-adoption contact order, but does not outweigh the harm of disrupting T's secure attachment to Mr and Mrs X.

Court Disposition

Adoption order granted in favour of Mr and Mrs X; post-adoption contact order made.

Orders

  • T to be adopted by Mr and Mrs X
  • Post-adoption contact order: minimum six in-person visits per year between T and R, with indirect video contact