England and Wales County Court (Family)

I am dealing with an application by X Local Authority in respect of a young man really now. He is 11. He is MC. His mother is DC and, sadly, M had to be removed from her care because she was experiencing some difficulties with her mental health. M was accommodated by the Local Authority in July 2009 and, in March 2010, the Local Authority commenced proceedings which have been dealt with in this Court.

The mother’s mental health problems, I am very pleased to say, have ameliorated. She is currently stable. She has an understanding of her difficulties and the plan has been for some time, and is ongoing, to rehabilitate M to his mother’s care. He has been recently spending five days a week in her care and it is proposed, I am told, that, as from 20th December – just in time for Christmas – he will be moving back to live with his mother permanently, but with some respite being offered by his aunt and uncle.

I commend the mother for working with the Local Authority and with medical professionals to stabilise her mental health to the degree that she has and to the extent that this boy can now be returned permanently to his mother’s care. I commend the Local Authority also for very good social work practice in this case and, of course, the Guardian for her support and report. I hope that the mother continues to make good progress, that M is happy to be back in her care and that these proceedings are completed in a timely way, which enables the mother to be without the stress of ongoing Court proceedings, particularly over the Christmas period.

Might I also say, however, that a supervision order is there in order to assist the mother, not just simply for the Local Authority to keep an eye on things. If the mother feels that she has any difficulties at all, then it is not in any way an admission of failure to go and seek help from the Local Authority. That is the idea of having the 12 month order in place. I have no doubt that the Local Authority will assist the mother and keep an eye on things, but they are there to help and, if she needs help, she should ask for it.

It would be wrong of me to conclude this case finally without thanking M’s aunt, who took on his care in July 2009 and has remained a steadfast support both for M and for her sister throughout the history of this case. I give her my thanks both for the assistance she has given to date and the assistance which she offers by way of respite care in the future.

So I make the order which is sought of me, namely that a supervision order be made for a period of 12 months from today. I make no order for costs save public funding assessment.