B (A Child), Re, Disengaged mother

B (A Child), Re, Disengaged mother

The court found that B was likely to suffer significant harm due to her mother's mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, criminality, and lack of engagement. There was no realistic prospect of B being safely placed with her mother or extended family. Adoption was necessary and proportionate to secure B's welfare, and parental consent was dispensed with as required by law.

Parties
Applicant: Local Authority; Respondent: Mother; Interested Party: Child (B) via Guardian
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
11 December 2024
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Order / Final Judgment
Outcome
Care order and placement order granted; parental consent dispensed with.
Legal Topics
Care Order, Placement Order, Threshold Criteria, Parental Consent, Child Welfare, Adoption Process
Family Law Child Protection Adoption Care Order Placement Order Threshold Criteria Parental Consent Child Welfare +1 more

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Parties

Local Authority

Applicant

Mother

Respondent

Child (B) via Guardian

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Order / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether threshold criteria for care order are met
  2. 2 Whether placement order for adoption should be granted
  3. 3 Whether parental consent should be dispensed with

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that B was likely to suffer significant harm due to her mother's mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, criminality, and lack of engagement. There was no realistic prospect of B being safely placed with her mother or extended family. Adoption was necessary and proportionate to secure B's welfare, and parental consent was dispensed with as required by law.

Court Disposition

Care order and placement order granted; parental consent dispensed with.

Orders

  • Final care order made for B.
  • Placement order authorising local authority to place B for adoption.