Jo is in her early 20s. When she was 17 she became pregnant. The father of the child had a number of issues arising from his troubled upbringing. He struggled to control his emotions and on occasions was violent towards Jo whilst she was pregnant, though he always apologised and promised it would not happen again. He had a police record and before the baby was born social services had been alerted to the risk he posed to Jo and the baby. The baby was made subject to a Child Protection Plan pre-birth, which required that both the father and Jo would take part in relationship counselling and would undertake domestic abuse education.
Jo now says she wishes she had listened to the advice. Neither parent did the work that was recommended. Their relationship did not improve, and social services were told of several police call-outs where neighbours reported hearing fights between the couple while the baby was with them inside their flat.
Social services instigated court proceedings, which resulted in the removal of the baby from the mother and father. The baby was placed under the care of Jo’s parents, where she still remains under a formal Special Guardianship Order.
Jo eventually separated from the father but it was too late for her to keep her child, whose future is now secure with her grandparents. She is seeing her mum regularly.
Jo began a new relationship and fell pregnant once more. Because of the family history social services were notified by the GP surgery when she first checked in with the midwife. Again concerns over the father’s background were identified. Social services made an assessment and the unborn baby was made subject to a Child Protection Plan.
This time Jo did things differently – she attended courses, she learned a lot and she listened to and implemented advice. She put her unborn baby first. With the support and advice of Bretherton Law Jo was able to show that the baby would be safe in her care and this time proceedings were avoided.
OUR CHILD LAW SERVICES
- Care proceedings and child protection
- Adoption
- Children in Care
- Special Guardianship Order
- Change of Name for Child
WHY BRETHERTON LAW?
- Legal Aid available in some circumstances
- An experienced, friendly and accessible team
- Members of Resolution
- Law Society Lexcel and Children Panel accreditations
