The District Court extended an interim care order for a baby who had been in care since birth. The extension was made on consent. The court also lifted the in-camera rule to allow the Child and Family Agency (CFA) social work reports and guardian ad litem (GAL) reports to be provided to a psychologist for the purpose of a parental capacity assessment.
The CFA solicitor said the father had previously been represented, but that solicitor had not been on record since the autumn. The agency remained in contact with members of the paternal family and understood the father to be homeless.
The CFA sought an extension of the interim care order. After enquiry by the judge, it was clarified that a new allocated social worker was present in court, while the sworn affidavit before the court had been prepared by the previous social worker.
The mother was legally represented but was not present in court. Her solicitor said she consented to the extension. He said she was attending access with her son on the date in question. He noted she also consented to the in-camera rule being lifted so that she could participate in the parental capacity assessment.
Counsel for the GAL said there was no difficulty with the matter proceeding on consent.
The judge asked the CFA to clarify the position regarding social worker allocation, noting that the social worker in court was not the author of the report. The CFA confirmed that he was now the allocated social worker and that this would continue. The agency explained that, during the previous social worker’s unexpected long-term leave, the case had been held by the principal or lead social worker.
The CFA said there was no long-term plan currently in place, but there was no likelihood of any change in the child’s circumstances for the foreseeable future.
The judge said he understood the position of all parties and the fact that the application was on consent. He extended the interim care order to a date in mid-February. He also noted the GAL’s position and granted the application to lift the in-camera rule so that the relevant CFA and GAL reports could be shared with the psychologist for the parental capacity assessment.