In the matter of S

(3) Advocate Heidi Jane Heath on behalf of Anthony Williams (the child's guardian)

On the 8th June, 2010, the Court granted the Minister's application for a final care order in respect of A, ("the child"), and an order freeing the child for adoption, having rejected an application by the father for the matter to be adjourned to enable the father and his aunt to be assessed as long term carers. We now give our reasons for those decisions.

The mother is described by Mr James Kingsley, an independent social worker instructed by her lawyers, as follows:-

"It is appropriate to feel the very greatest concern and sympathy for B. She is the product of her home, her family and her environment. She was probably a neglected child whose physical, educational, emotional and developmental needs were not met. As a teenager she was not adequately cared for or supervised and, in addition to her evident learning difficulties, she was a vulnerable and "at risk" child. In many ways, B is still a vulnerable child who continues to be failed by her parents, her family and the authorities."

The child was born two months premature by caesarean section. Professional concerns were expressed with regard to the chaotic lifestyle that the mother had whilst pregnant continuing once the child was born.