Sarah, Re

Sarah, Re

Neither parent presents a realistic option for Sarah's care due to ongoing risk of harm, lack of insight, psychological difficulties, and practical barriers. Adoption is necessary to secure permanence and welfare throughout Sarah's life. Ongoing video contact with the father is ordered to preserve familial ties; no direct contact with the mother is ordered due to risk and quality concerns.

Parties
Applicant: A City Council; 1st Respondent: The Mother; 2nd Respondent: The Father; 3rd Respondent: The Child (by her Children’s Guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 November 2024
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Order Application / Final Judgment
Outcome
Care and placement orders granted; father's application for further assessment refused.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption, Parental Responsibility, Contact Arrangements, Threshold Criteria, Welfare Checklist, Cultural Sensitivity
Family Law Child Protection Adoption Care Orders Placement Orders Parental Responsibility Contact Arrangements Threshold Criteria +2 more

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Parties

A City Council

Applicant

The Mother

1st Respondent

The Father

2nd Respondent

The Child (by her Children’s Guardian)

3rd Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Order Application / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether threshold criteria for care and placement orders are met
  2. 2 Whether further assessment of parents or family is necessary
  3. 3 Appropriate contact arrangements post-placement order

Ratio Decidendi

Neither parent presents a realistic option for Sarah's care due to ongoing risk of harm, lack of insight, psychological difficulties, and practical barriers. Adoption is necessary to secure permanence and welfare throughout Sarah's life. Ongoing video contact with the father is ordered to preserve familial ties; no direct contact with the mother is ordered due to risk and quality concerns.

Court Disposition

Care and placement orders granted; father's application for further assessment refused.

Orders

  • Care order made for Sarah
  • Placement order made for Sarah