A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors

MS CAROLINE CROFT, instructed by a local authority solicitor, appeared on behalf of the Applicant

MR HENRY LAMB appeared on behalf of the 3 rd Respondent through the Children's Guardian

��������� QR is the most important person in this case and her welfare is the most important thing.� I have to decide how it is best for her to spend time with her mother.� I have to balance the risks of her seeing her mother face to face or having a video call with her against the benefits to her.� QR's mum has twice taken her away so that social workers could not keep an eye on her.� Both times, her mother planned it and was not honest about it.� This was harmful for QR.� I've tried very hard to think if there is any way of keeping QR �safe from abduction if she sees her mum face to face.�

��������� This must be reviewed, in my view, every three months under the midway reviews, and every six months formally at the LAC reviews.� I am glad that the two local authorities involved are jointly meeting every fortnight and it should also be reviewed at those meetings.� Of course, the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review regulations 2010 continue to apply and allow the local authority flexibility to respond if things change, as per regulation 8, for example.

             ��QR is a three year old girl.� She was born in a country in South East Asia, following her mother removing her from the UK to avoid social care becoming involved with QR once she was born.� QR was made a ward of court and, following their return to the UK, she was subject to prolonged care proceedings which concluded in January 2023, with a full care order and the plan that she lives with her mother.