England and Wales Case Law

A Local Authority v YL & Anor

The threshold for making a care order was met as the child suffered significant harm due to the mother's chaotic lifestyle, repeated moves, failure to meet medical and educational needs, and inability to provide stable care. The welfare analysis strongly favored the child remaining in long-term foster care, as the mother lacked insight and capacity to provide safe and stable parenting, and the care plan was a proportionate interference with family life.

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• Care orders
• Threshold criteria
• Welfare checklist
• Parental capability
• International movement of children
• Language and cultural identity

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Birmingham City Council v M & Ors

The threshold for care orders is met due to the mother's inability, despite significant effort and support, to meet the children's basic needs and protect them from harm. A final care order for C and a placement order for A are necessary and proportionate to safeguard their welfare, as no less intrusive alternatives are available.

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• Care orders
• Adoption
• Parental responsibility
• Child welfare
• Threshold criteria

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A, B and C (Children: Perpetrator Finding), Re

The judge's assessment of the evidence and witness reliability was thorough and justified; there was no basis for appellate interference. The finding that the mother inflicted the injury was open to the judge on the balance of probabilities.

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• Care proceedings
• Non-accidental injury
• Identification of perpetrator
• Appeal against fact-finding
• Domestic abuse
• Child arrangements

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CF v CM (Finding of Fact Judgment 1)

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the child X's core testimony regarding sexual abuse by the father was consistent, plausible, and not undermined by inconsistencies or evidence of malicious motivation. The mother was not motivated to fabricate allegations, and the father's testimony was not truthful on key points. The allegation of sexual abuse was found to be true on at least one occasion.

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• Child sexual abuse allegations
• Fact-finding hearings
• Credibility assessment
• Hearsay evidence
• Domestic violence
• Pornography addiction

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London Borough of Havering v R & Ors

The court finds that threshold criteria are met due to the parents' vulnerabilities, substance misuse, lack of engagement, and inability to provide safe and consistent care for Q. Further residential assessment of R is not justified as it would cause delay, is unlikely to be positive, and is not in Q's welfare interests. There are no realistic family or friend placement options. Adoption is the only option that meets Q's immediate and long-term welfare needs. Parental consent to placement order is dispensed with as Q's welfare requires it.

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• Care orders
• Placement orders
• Parental responsibility
• Threshold criteria
• Welfare checklist
• Residential assessment

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Essex County Council v F1 & Ors

The threshold for a care order was met due to F1's emotional harm to the children, involvement in sexual activity with adolescents, refusal to foster A's relationship with his biological father, and refusal to accept help. A's age and strong wish to return home justified discharge of the interim care order and return to F1 under a supervision order, while B's needs and emotional welfare required a care order and continued foster placement.

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• Care orders
• Parental responsibility
• Child welfare
• Change of name
• Contact arrangements
• Threshold criteria

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A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors

Adoption is the only option that meets both the children’s need for permanence and ongoing sibling contact; long-term foster care cannot provide the same degree of security and belonging. The welfare of D and E requires dispensing with parental consent and making care and placement orders, with sibling contact prioritized in the care plan.

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• Care orders
• Placement orders
• Adoption
• Long-term foster care
• Sibling contact
• Parental consent

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Taborda & Anor v Rex

Taborda & Anor v Rex [2026] EWCA Crim 627 (20 May 2026)

The Court of Appeal upheld convictions for allowing the death of a child and child cruelty, refused fresh expert evidence, and reduced one sentence.

• Murder
• Allowing the death of a child
• Child cruelty
• Assault on emergency worker
• Perverting the course of justice
• Admissibility of expert evidence

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Eloddie Goncalves Taborda & Anor v R

The Court of Appeal upheld convictions for murder, child cruelty, allowing a child's death, and perverting justice, while reducing one sentence on appeal.

• Murder
• Child cruelty
• Assault on emergency worker
• Perverting the course of justice
• Allowing death of a child
• Neglect

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B, In the Matter Of

B, In the Matter Of [2026] EWFC 107 (B) (14 May 2026)

In care proceedings, the court found B suffered significant harm through a serious head injury while in her parents’ care, but could not identify which parent caused it.

• Care orders
• Non-accidental injury
• Threshold criteria
• Fact-finding
• Domestic abuse
• Neglect

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