The child, who was only hours old was secretly filmed being removed from the family home in Staffordshire under an emergency protection order.
Seeking to protect the identity of the child, the County Council had applied for an injunction to the remove the footage. However the High Court, whilst making an order preventing the child from being identified by name, stated parents had the right to air their views.
By allowing the footage, the Judge’s ruling is likely to fuel the current public debate on the operation of the care and family justice system. For some time, concern has been expressed about the private nature of the court process, with many describing the proceedings as inappropriately 'secret'.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Sally Jones, children law specialist at Anthony Collins Solicitors commented:
“Whilst the interests of the parents are very important, these should be balanced against the need to deliver effective child protection. Excessive critical media exposure could well prove a deterrent to the recruitment and retention of social workers.
“The Judge’s decision reflects a growing Judicial desire for transparency in the very serious process of taking a child into care.
“Care proceedings are highly sensitive, serious and often very distressing cases. Before a child is removed from the family home, the case is evaluated by several experts and all parties, including parents and children are entitled to individual legal representation.
“This ensures that the best outcomes are achieved for some of the most vulnerable children in the region.”
If you’d like to know more, please contact Sally Jones on 0121 214 3720 or email sally.jones@anthonycollins.com.
Would you know how to manage an escalating social media storm? Are you confident in your plans and policies for responding to, and managing, a prominent ‘scandal’ in your charity?
The Civil Partnership (Opposite-Sex Couples) Regulations 2019 were made on 5 November 2019 and came into force on 2 December 2019.
HMRC’s approach to underpayment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is getting tougher and shows no sign of abating.
HMRC’s approach to underpayment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is getting tougher and shows no sign of abating.
Now 2020 is here and we have welcomed in the new decade, it’s time to welcome in changes regards the contents of employee’s statement of particulars.
In December 2019, the Care Quality Commission brought its first prosecution against a local authority
The CIL was introduced under the Planning Act 2008 and the CIL Regulations 2010, which came into force in April 2010. CIL is a non-negotiable tax charged by local authorities on new developments.
The Court of Appeal’s recent decision is likely to be unwelcome news for any cash-strapped councils seeking to fund the costs of taxi enforcement through licence fees.
It is important that trustees are aware of the law relating to people who are transgender and those who identify as non-binary so that they can ensure compliance.
Earlier this year, the Charity Commission published its inquiry report into Oxfam GB, following allegations about events in Haiti in 2010 involving its staff members.
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.