F (A Child) (Care and Placement Orders), Re

F (A Child) (Care and Placement Orders), Re

The court found that Will and Sophie are unable to safely care for Faith and meet her emotional, health, and development needs, even with support. The threshold criteria under section 31(2) of the Children Act 1989 are met. Faith's welfare throughout her life requires adoption, and nothing else will do. The parents' consent is dispensed with under sections 21(3)(b) and 52 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. Adoption is necessary and proportionate to avoid significant harm to Faith.

Parties
Applicant: Local Authority; First Respondent: Sophie (Mother); Second Respondent: Will (Father); Children's Guardian: Children’s Guardian
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Orders (children) / Final Judgment
Outcome
Care and placement orders granted; parental consent dispensed with; Faith to be placed for adoption.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption, Parental Consent, Welfare of the Child, Threshold Criteria, European Convention on Human Rights, Article 8 Rights
Family Law Child Protection Care Orders Placement Orders Adoption Parental Consent Welfare of the Child Threshold Criteria +2 more

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Parties

Local Authority

Applicant

Sophie (Mother)

First Respondent

Will (Father)

Second Respondent

Children’s Guardian

Children's Guardian

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Orders (children) / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the threshold criteria under section 31(2) of the Children Act 1989 are met for Faith
  2. 2 Whether Faith's welfare requires making care and placement orders, including dispensing with parental consent for adoption

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that Will and Sophie are unable to safely care for Faith and meet her emotional, health, and development needs, even with support. The threshold criteria under section 31(2) of the Children Act 1989 are met. Faith's welfare throughout her life requires adoption, and nothing else will do. The parents' consent is dispensed with under sections 21(3)(b) and 52 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. Adoption is necessary and proportionate to avoid significant harm to Faith.

Court Disposition

Care and placement orders granted; parental consent dispensed with; Faith to be placed for adoption.

Orders

  • Care order made under section 31 of the Children Act 1989
  • Placement order made under section 21 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002