A to G (Care - seven siblings), Re

A to G (Care - seven siblings), Re

The threshold for care and placement orders was crossed due to chronic neglect, exposure to parental criminality, drug use, domestic abuse, and inability of the parents to protect the children from harm. Despite the mother's efforts, she had not demonstrated sufficient change or insight to ensure the children's safety. The father failed to engage and was deemed to pose a high risk. No family members were suitable alternative carers. The welfare of the children required separation from their parents, with care orders for the older three and care and placement orders for adoption for the youngest four. Dispensation of parental consent was necessary and proportionate to secure the children's...

Parties
Applicant: A local authority; Respondent Mother: Shannon (mother); Second Respondent Father: Dan (father); Third to Ninth Respondent Children: Amber, Beau, Connie, Dylan, Emmie, Fleur, Gabriel (children, acting by their guardian Helen Robey)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
17 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Proceedings Under Children Act 1989 and Adoption and Children Act 2002 / Final Judgment
Outcome
Care orders granted for Amber, Beau, and Connie; care and placement orders for adoption granted for Dylan, Emmie, Fleur, and Gabriel; parental consent to adoption dispensed with.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Placement Orders, Parental Responsibility, Threshold Criteria, Contact Arrangements, Welfare of the Child, Proportionality, Parental Consent Dispensation
Family Law Child Protection Adoption Law Care Orders Placement Orders Parental Responsibility Threshold Criteria Contact Arrangements +3 more

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Parties

A local authority

Applicant

Shannon (mother)

Respondent Mother

Dan (father)

Second Respondent Father

Amber, Beau, Connie, Dylan, Emmie, Fleur, Gabriel (children, acting by their guardian Helen Robey)

Third to Ninth Respondent Children

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Proceedings Under Children Act 1989 and Adoption and Children Act 2002 / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether threshold for care and placement orders under s.31 Children Act 1989 is met
  2. 2 Whether care and placement orders are necessary and proportionate for each child
  3. 3 Whether parental consent to adoption should be dispensed with

Ratio Decidendi

The threshold for care and placement orders was crossed due to chronic neglect, exposure to parental criminality, drug use, domestic abuse, and inability of the parents to protect the children from harm. Despite the mother's efforts, she had not demonstrated sufficient change or insight to ensure the children's safety. The father failed to engage and was deemed to pose a high risk. No family members were suitable alternative carers. The welfare of the children required separation from their parents, with care orders for the older three and care and placement orders for adoption for the youngest four. Dispensation of parental consent was necessary and proportionate to secure the children's...

Court Disposition

Care orders granted for Amber, Beau, and Connie; care and placement orders for adoption granted for Dylan, Emmie, Fleur, and Gabriel; parental consent to adoption dispensed with.

Orders

  • Amber to remain in current foster placement.
  • Beau and Connie to remain together in foster care, with possible future move.