A Local Authority v M & Ors [2017] EWFC B66 (10 August 2017)

A Local Authority v M & Ors [2017] EWFC B66 (10 August 2017)

Both parents are fundamentally unreliable and have failed to demonstrate the necessary insight, honesty, and protective capacity to ensure G's safety and welfare. The threshold for significant harm is met for both. Neither parent can safely care for G, and no measures can adequately mitigate the risks. Adoption is the only option that meets G's welfare needs and provides her with the opportunity for a stable, secure, and nurturing environment. Nothing else will do.

Citation
[2017] EWFC B66
Parties
Mother: M; Father: F; Child: G; Applicant: Local Authority; Children's Guardian: Laurie Forsey
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 August 2017
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Order Proceedings / Final Hearing and Judgment
Outcome
Care order and placement order granted; G to be placed for adoption.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption, Parental Responsibility, Domestic Abuse, Threshold Criteria, Welfare Checklist
Family Law Child Protection Care Orders Placement Orders Adoption Parental Responsibility Domestic Abuse Threshold Criteria +1 more

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Parties

M

Mother

F

Father

G

Child

Local Authority

Applicant

Laurie Forsey

Children's Guardian

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Order Proceedings / Final Hearing and Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether G should be placed in the care of M, F, or for adoption
  2. 2 Whether threshold criteria for significant harm are met under Children Act 1989
  3. 3 Whether nothing else will do except adoption under Adoption and Children Act 2002

Ratio Decidendi

Both parents are fundamentally unreliable and have failed to demonstrate the necessary insight, honesty, and protective capacity to ensure G's safety and welfare. The threshold for significant harm is met for both. Neither parent can safely care for G, and no measures can adequately mitigate the risks. Adoption is the only option that meets G's welfare needs and provides her with the opportunity for a stable, secure, and nurturing environment. Nothing else will do.

Court Disposition

Care order and placement order granted; G to be placed for adoption.

Orders

  • Care order made in respect of G.
  • Placement order made authorising G's adoption.