F (A Child) Future Welfare: Post-Adoption Contact: Unconscionable Delay), Re

F (A Child) Future Welfare: Post-Adoption Contact: Unconscionable Delay), Re

F's lifelong welfare requires adoption outside her family due to inability of G to provide consistent, safe parenting, history of failed placements, and overwhelming need for permanence. Dispensing with parental consent is necessary. Delay has prejudiced F's welfare. Monthly contact is not in F's best interests; limited annual contact for identity purposes is endorsed.

Parties
Applicant: Kent County Council; First Respondent: GH (anonymised as G); Second Respondent: IJ (anonymised as I)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 January 2025
Procedural Posture
Child Welfare/adoption / Final Judgment After Appeal and Rehearing
Outcome
Care order and placement order for adoption granted; parental consent dispensed with; application for further assessment dismissed; no s.26 ACA contact order made.
Legal Topics
Post Adoption Contact, Delay in Proceedings, Dispensing With Parental Consent, Threshold Criteria, Care Orders, Placement Orders
Family Law Child Welfare Adoption Post Adoption Contact Delay in Proceedings Dispensing With Parental Consent Threshold Criteria Care Orders +1 more

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Parties

Kent County Council

Applicant

GH (anonymised as G)

First Respondent

IJ (anonymised as I)

Second Respondent

Procedural Posture

Child Welfare/adoption / Final Judgment After Appeal and Rehearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether F's welfare requires adoption and dispensing with parental consent
  2. 2 Whether further assessment of G's parenting is necessary
  3. 3 Whether a s.26 ACA contact order should be made

Ratio Decidendi

F's lifelong welfare requires adoption outside her family due to inability of G to provide consistent, safe parenting, history of failed placements, and overwhelming need for permanence. Dispensing with parental consent is necessary. Delay has prejudiced F's welfare. Monthly contact is not in F's best interests; limited annual contact for identity purposes is endorsed.

Court Disposition

Care order and placement order for adoption granted; parental consent dispensed with; application for further assessment dismissed; no s.26 ACA contact order made.

Orders

  • Care order in relation to F
  • Placement order authorising adoption