C, Re

Representation: For the Applicant: Mr Alex Forbes, instructed by Oxfordshire County Council For the Respondent: Ms Poonam Bhari, instructed by Reeds Solicitors For the Second Respondent: Ms Grazyna Dziseiwska, instructed by Youngs solicitors For the Third Respondent: Mr Tony McGovern, of Creighton & Partners Solicitors Limited ____________________

What are the main differences between a care order or being accommodated under section 20?

(i) C's parents have not always got on well. They do not have a history of making decisions for C successfully together. If they do not agree about a decision about C's care this is likely to cause delay, confusion and upset for C as he waits for them to find a way to resolve it. The local authority will have limited or no powers to step in to help under a section 20 arrangement;

(ii) The local authority will be looking after him day to day and have better information about his wishes and feelings, about what is going on for him at that time, which will make it better placed to make decisions for him.

(iv) The local authority is in a better position to put C's needs first when making decisions, where C's mother might find herself in a much more difficult situation due to the nature of her relationship with C, and her need to balance the needs of her partner and other children;