A Local Authority v A Mother & Ors

Mr Sylvester McIlwain (instructed by Local Authority Solicitors) for the Applicant Miss Martha Cover (instructed by Bindmans) for the Aunt Hearing date: 22 May 2012 ____________________

(1) The aunt has reorganised her life. She is a single person in her early 30s, who works full-time, fortunately for a broadminded employer. She and C live at a secret address for safety reasons. She has supported C's school and her assessment at a specialist clinic, as well as attending meetings with social workers and those carrying out assessments for the court. She has been expected to produce daily report sheets as a foster carer, which was onerous for someone who is dyslexic. She has also had to negotiate difficult though limited contact arrangements for the parents.

(2) C has made tremendous progress. She has received sensible and devoted care from her aunt and considerable support from her school.

(3) For its part, the local authority has paid a fostering allowance to the aunt and given social work support.

(4) Unfortunately, the relationship between social services and the aunt has not been easy. She has experienced social services as being bureaucratic and inefficient, while the social workers saw her as being unduly punctilious and resistant to advice.