X Borough Council v Mum & Ors

The risks to Z from parental alcohol use and inability to achieve abstinence, combined with lack of honesty and unstable accommodation, mean that Z cannot be safely returned to parental care. Adoption is the only realistic option to safeguard Z's welfare, and parental consent is dispensed with as it is in Z's best interests.

Parties: Applicant: X Borough Council; First Respondent: Mum; Second Respondent: Dad; Third Respondent: The Child (Z) (by the Children’s Guardian)
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 21 May 2025
Procedural Posture: Care and Placement Order Application / Final Hearing and Judgment
Outcome: Care order and placement order for adoption granted; parental consent to adoption dispensed with.
Legal Topics: Care Order, Placement Order, Adoption, Parental Rights, Child Welfare, Alcohol Dependency, FDAC Process

Family Law Child Protection Care Order Placement Order Adoption Parental Rights Child Welfare Alcohol Dependency +1 more

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Parties

X Borough Council

Applicant

Mum

First Respondent

Dad

Second Respondent

The Child (Z) (by the Children’s Guardian)

Third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care and Placement Order Application / Final Hearing and Judgment

Legal Issues

1 Whether Z should be returned to parental care or placed for adoption
2 Whether parental consent to adoption should be dispensed with
3 Assessment of risk to child from parental alcohol use

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

Care order and placement order for adoption granted; parental consent to adoption dispensed with.

Orders

Care order made for Z
Placement order for adoption made