Alison Williams and James Dove in Oxfordshire County Council v M & Ors [2025] EWFC 256 (B)
12th Aug 2025 | Cases
James Dove acted for the Local Authority and Alison Williams acted for the Guardian, instructed by Oxford Law Group Ltd, in Oxfordshire County Council v M & Ors [2025] EWFC 256 (B). The Court considered whether placement orders should be made for a sibling group of four young children, as sought by the Local Authority, or whether they should be made subject to care orders with plans for long-term foster care, as recommended by the Guardian and supported by the parents. The children had always lived together, save for one night in emergency accommodation, and had been living together in the same foster placement for nearly a year. The children’s current foster carers were committed to caring for the children throughout their childhood but sought that this be subject to the framework of a care order due to the children’s elevated needs and the support available under a care order.
The Court determined that the chances of the Local Authority finding a single adoptive placement for all four children would be very poor.
The Court acknowledged that long-term foster care was not without risk, particularly as the youngest two children would spend sixteen years or so in foster care. However, the Court noted the extremely strong bond between the siblings and the strong attachment they have formed to their current foster carers. The Court determined on balance that the risk of harm to the children, by virtue of separating such close siblings and removing them from experienced and committed foster carers, outweighs the risk of them remaining in long-term foster care. The Local Authority’s applications for placement orders were dismissed and the Court made care orders, inviting the Local Authority to change its care plans to long-term fostering.
