J, K and L (application for non-agency adoptions) [2025] EWFC 157 (B) (16 May 2025)

J, K and L (application for non-agency adoptions) [2025] EWFC 157 (B) (16 May 2025)

The applications for adoption orders are refused because, despite the applicants' love and commitment, the evidence demonstrates they have not adapted their parenting to meet the children's complex therapeutic needs, there is a real risk of placement disruption without ongoing professional support, and adoption would not be in the children's lifelong welfare interests. The threshold for dispensing with parental consent is not met. The placement orders are revoked as the local authority no longer plans for adoption and the children's welfare requires long-term foster care with continued support.

Citation
[2025] EWFC 157 (B)
Parties
Applicant: PA1; Applicant: PA2; First Respondent: A Local Authority; Second Respondent: M; Third Respondent: F; Fourth Respondent (child): Jamie; Fifth Respondent (child): Kit; Sixth Respondent (child): Lucy
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 May 2025
Procedural Posture
Family Adoption (non Agency) / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing
Outcome
Applications for adoption orders refused; placement orders revoked.
Legal Topics
Adoption, Revocation of Placement Orders, Welfare of the Child, Dispensing With Parental Consent, Therapeutic Parenting, Long Term Foster Care
Family Law Child Law Adoption Revocation of Placement Orders Welfare of the Child Dispensing With Parental Consent Therapeutic Parenting Long Term Foster Care

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Parties

PA1

Applicant

PA2

Applicant

A Local Authority

First Respondent

M

Second Respondent

F

Third Respondent

Jamie

Fourth Respondent (child)

Kit

Fifth Respondent (child)

Lucy

Sixth Respondent (child)

Procedural Posture

Family Adoption (non Agency) / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether adoption orders should be granted to non-agency applicants (former foster carers) in respect of three children
  2. 2 Whether parental consent to adoption should be dispensed with under s.52 Adoption and Children Act 2002
  3. 3 Whether placement orders should be revoked and children remain in long-term foster care

Ratio Decidendi

The applications for adoption orders are refused because, despite the applicants' love and commitment, the evidence demonstrates they have not adapted their parenting to meet the children's complex therapeutic needs, there is a real risk of placement disruption without ongoing professional support, and adoption would not be in the children's lifelong welfare interests. The threshold for dispensing with parental consent is not met. The placement orders are revoked as the local authority no longer plans for adoption and the children's welfare requires long-term foster care with continued support.

Court Disposition

Applications for adoption orders refused; placement orders revoked.

Orders

  • Refusal of adoption orders in respect of Jamie, Kit, and Lucy to PA1 and PA2.
  • Revocation of placement orders for all three children.