In the matter of WW and XX (Supervision Order) (Royal Court : Hearing (Civil))

On 6 November 2024, we made a final order in this case, namely a Supervision Order for the period of twelve months under Article 24(1)(b) of the Children (Jersey) Law 2002 ("the Law"). All parties agreed to the making of the order and it was not necessary for the Court to hear evidence, with the exception of the evidence from the social worker in the case. Of course, all parties were entitled to give evidence but they did not think it necessary to do so.

The application concerned WW, a boy aged 7 at the day of the hearing, and XX, a girl aged 3.

Care proceedings began on 4 April 2024. The mother and father of the children were not in a relationship at the date of the hearing, although the father has parental responsibility for both children.

The Court was provided with the statement of the Guardian, the evidence of the social worker, reports from Dr Tanya Engelbrecht, a psychiatrist, Dr Briggs a psychologist, an independent social worker, and from Dr Murray, a child psychologist.

Threshold was agreed and it was accepted that both children had suffered and were likely to suffer significant harm as a result of the parenting provided to them, owing to physical and emotional abuse of both children by their mother which we do not need to particularise in detail. The mother's poor mental health puts the children at risk of further harm which the mother accepts. Her mental health continues to fluctuate, which is likely to expose the children to significant emotional and / or physical harm.