T and E (freeing order)

(2) Subsequent Trust intervention with the family failed to result in positive and sustained change necessitating the children being transferred to and remaining in alternative care placements. The four older siblings are subjects of care orders in favour of this Trust and all but B and S2 have been placed in separate foster placements.

(7) She has enjoyed increased level of contact with the two older children S and S1. She described a similarly positive situation with the middle two children B and S2. As will appear from my analysis of the evidence before me, it was also common case that there is at least the possibility that the four older children may in the fullness of time be returned to her and rehabilitation effected over the next 3-4 years.

(8) The essence of the issue in this case surrounded the application by the Trust to free these children for adoption set against the proposition by the mother that she reasonably withheld her consent on the basis that she wished to be permitted the opportunity to work towards having T and E rehabilitated to her in the long term. She felt she should be given a chance to parent them in the long term and that in the interim, long term foster care with their current carers should be the solution.

This witness had undertaken an independent social work report on the case jointly instructed by the Trust, N and Ms Wilma Reid the Guardian Ad Litem.

(i) To consider the level and nature of the current attachments between T and E and their mother and father.