J and K (Placement Order Application: Wider Family Members), Re

J and K (Placement Order Application: Wider Family Members), Re

The risks posed by the parents and the inability of wider family members to protect the children from those risks outweigh the negatives of adoption. Adoption is the only option that will keep the children safe and meet their needs; no lesser order will do. Parental consent is dispensed with as required by the children's welfare.

Parties
Applicant: Thurrock Borough Council; First Respondent: Mother; Second Respondent: Father; Third Respondent: Paternal Grandmother; Fourth Respondent: Paternal Grandfather; Fifth Respondent: Maternal Great-Aunt; Sixth Respondent: Maternal Great-Uncle; Seventh Respondent: J (child); Eighth Respondent: K (child)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Care and Placement Order Proceedings / Final Hearing
Outcome
Care and placement orders granted for both children; parental consent dispensed with.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Placement Orders, Adoption, Parental Responsibility, Threshold Criteria, Welfare Evaluation, Contact Arrangements, Special Guardianship, Cross Border Child Protection
Family Law Child Protection Care Orders Placement Orders Adoption Parental Responsibility Threshold Criteria Welfare Evaluation +3 more

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Parties

Thurrock Borough Council

Applicant

Mother

First Respondent

Father

Second Respondent

Paternal Grandmother

Third Respondent

Paternal Grandfather

Fourth Respondent

Maternal Great-Aunt

Fifth Respondent

Maternal Great-Uncle

Sixth Respondent

J (child)

Seventh Respondent

K (child)

Eighth Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Order Proceedings / Final Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether care and placement orders should be granted for J and K
  2. 2 Whether placement with wider family members is viable
  3. 3 Whether parental consent to placement should be dispensed with

Ratio Decidendi

The risks posed by the parents and the inability of wider family members to protect the children from those risks outweigh the negatives of adoption. Adoption is the only option that will keep the children safe and meet their needs; no lesser order will do. Parental consent is dispensed with as required by the children's welfare.

Court Disposition

Care and placement orders granted for both children; parental consent dispensed with.

Orders

  • Care order for J
  • Care order for K