Middlesbrough Borough Council v Mother & Ors [2025] EWFC 502 (10 December 2025)

Middlesbrough Borough Council v Mother & Ors [2025] EWFC 502 (10 December 2025)

The statutory threshold for significant harm under s31(2) Children Act 1989 is met due to proven substance misuse, mental health issues, lack of insight, and emotional harm caused by Mother and Mr C. Care Orders for X and W and Supervision and Child Arrangements Orders for Z and Y are necessary and proportionate to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] EWFC 502
Parties
Applicant: Local Authority; First Respondent: Mother; Third Respondent: Mr C; Second Respondent: Mr A; Guardian: Children's Guardian
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 December 2025
Procedural Posture
Care Proceedings / Final Hearing
Outcome
Care Orders for X and W; Supervision Order and Child Arrangements Order for Z and Y to live with Mr A; Prohibited Steps Order against Mother; Section 91(14) Order for 12 months.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Supervision Orders, Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders, Section 91(14) Orders, Threshold Criteria, Substance Misuse, Domestic Abuse, Mental Health, Litigants in Person
Family Law Child Protection Care Orders Supervision Orders Child Arrangements Orders Prohibited Steps Orders Section 91(14) Orders Threshold Criteria +4 more

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Parties

Local Authority

Applicant

Mother

First Respondent

Mr C

Third Respondent

Mr A

Second Respondent

Children's Guardian

Guardian

Procedural Posture

Care Proceedings / Final Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the statutory threshold for significant harm under s31(2) Children Act 1989 is met
  2. 2 Appropriate welfare arrangements for four children
  3. 3 Proportionality of Care Orders, Supervision Orders, Child Arrangements Orders, and Prohibited Steps Orders

Ratio Decidendi

The statutory threshold for significant harm under s31(2) Children Act 1989 is met due to proven substance misuse, mental health issues, lack of insight, and emotional harm caused by Mother and Mr C. Care Orders for X and W and Supervision and Child Arrangements Orders for Z and Y are necessary and proportionate to safeguard welfare. Section 91(14) Order is justified for stability and protection from further harmful litigation.

Court Disposition

Care Orders for X and W; Supervision Order and Child Arrangements Order for Z and Y to live with Mr A; Prohibited Steps Order against Mother; Section 91(14) Order for 12 months.

Orders

  • Care Orders for X and W
  • Supervision Order for Z and Y for 12 months