Jessica Jones, Re

Jessica Jones, Re

The court found that the threshold criteria under s.31 Children Act 1989 were met due to the mother's ongoing cannabis use, cognitive limitations, lack of insight, history of abusive relationships, and inability to provide safe and consistent care. No viable kinship or foster placements existed. The risks to Jessica in parental care could not be mitigated by any support package. Adoption was the only option that would secure Jessica's welfare. Accordingly, a final care order and placement order were made, dispensing with parental consent.

Parties
Applicant: Derbyshire County Council; First Respondent: Petra Jones; Second Respondent: Julian Morgan; Third Respondent: Jessica Jones (the child, through Children’s Guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Order Proceedings (child Protection) / Final Judgment
Outcome
Final care order and placement order made; parental consent dispensed with.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption, Parental Responsibility, Threshold Criteria, Welfare Checklist
Family Law Child Protection Care Orders Placement Orders Adoption Parental Responsibility Threshold Criteria Welfare Checklist

Case Brief

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Parties

Derbyshire County Council

Applicant

Petra Jones

First Respondent

Julian Morgan

Second Respondent

Jessica Jones (the child, through Children’s Guardian)

Third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Order Proceedings (child Protection) / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether threshold criteria under s.31 Children Act 1989 are met for a care order
  2. 2 Whether a placement order for adoption should be made for Jessica Jones
  3. 3 Whether the parents are capable of providing safe and adequate care for Jessica

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the threshold criteria under s.31 Children Act 1989 were met due to the mother's ongoing cannabis use, cognitive limitations, lack of insight, history of abusive relationships, and inability to provide safe and consistent care. No viable kinship or foster placements existed. The risks to Jessica in parental care could not be mitigated by any support package. Adoption was the only option that would secure Jessica's welfare. Accordingly, a final care order and placement order were made, dispensing with parental consent.

Court Disposition

Final care order and placement order made; parental consent dispensed with.

Orders

  • Final care order for Jessica Jones in favour of the local authority
  • Placement order authorising placement for adoption