B e f o r e :
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A Local Authority |
Applicant |
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- and - |
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The Mother |
First Respondent |
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-and- |
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G ( a child, by her guardian) |
Second Respondent |
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Mark Williams for the mother
Sarah Hindle for the child.
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Crown Copyright ©
HHJ Wildblood QC:
i) Is it right that this mother should not yet have been offered therapy, particularly bearing in mind that her first child was born three years ago and was himself the subject of lengthy proceedings?ii) If she had been offered therapy at an early stage, is there not at least a possibility that the outcome of these proceedings might have been different?
iii) Even if the outcome would not have been different, would not an attempt at therapy make these proceedings more satisfactory?
iv) Has the money that has been spent on issuing proceedings (£2,055 is the cost of issuing a care application) and on psychological evidence (over £2,000) well spent when the expenditure is incurred before attempts at therapeutic support have been made in cases of this nature.
'I'm very sorry and remorseful of my actions regarding the events that led to the removal of my children. I would like to make you understand that I love B and G with all my heart. I wouldn't harm my kids. I just struggle at times and feel that I need the right support to enable me to remain…I promise to become a better mother and also help myself to make better decisions and choices for my daughter and son, also for myself. I hope you can allow another chance so I can prove myself'.
HHJ Stephen Wildblood QC
13th September 2017