Mr X has two teenage boys, both of whom were thought by social workers to be suffering harm. Their school attendance was poor and they were under-achieving. The boys rarely left the house and when they did it was often to meet up with an unsuitable group of friends. Their mother had become addicted to cocaine, and her behaviour had become withdrawn and unpredictable. Her relationship with the boys had deteriorated so much that they could barely communicate with her. Mr X struggled to find a way forward.
Social services began court proceedings and initially asked the court to approve placing the boys in foster care. With the help of Bretherton Law this initial traumatic change was avoided. Mr P worked to understand the impact of his wife’s drug abuse, while she in turn sought help for her addiction and agreed to move out of the family home.
Mr X and the boys were given support by children’s social care services to understand what had happened, and offered help to improve their own relationships. Contact visits with the boys’ mother started slowly but increased as they saw her own health improve.
Assessments demonstrated that Mr X was able to provide the right level of care for his children and Bretherton Law were able to help in ensuring that the boys remained with him at the end of the court process. They are all looking forward to a brighter future.
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
