A District Court judge granted an application under to confer enhanced rights on foster carers who had looked after a five-year-old boy since he was two weeks old.
The social worker assigned to the case told the lawyer for the Child and Family Agency (CFA) that the child’s mother had been served with notice at her address. She had left repeated messages for the mother, but the mother was not always at that address. The social worker said the child’s father had had no contact for years and had never engaged with the CFA.
The social worker reported that the child enjoyed good general health, but had poor eyesight and a sensitive nervous system in that loud noises frightened him easily. He had undergone surgery for repeated throat infections. The child was quiet, yet capable, warm, and able to form attachments. The social worker described him as “a little meditator” who liked to sit close to people. He had made one friend in preschool, who had now started primary school.
The child was attending preschool for a second year and had been assigned an Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) worker. The foster carers and the preschool reported that he was happy and settled. The social worker said the child did not understand that he was in care. He identified fully with his foster carers and their daughter. He lived in a rural area surrounded by donkeys and dogs and played with neighbouring children. The foster family treated him as part of their family.
The social worker confirmed that the child had had no contact with his older brother or with his younger brother and sister, all of whom now lived outside Ireland. The child had recently been baptised at his mother’s request. The mother had been invited to the ceremony but had not attended.
Children’s services had proposed signing the child off their caseload, but the social worker said an assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was still required. The HSE joint protocol had been activated and a consultant paediatrician identified. Funding approval was pending, but the social worker hoped the assessment would be completed before the child started primary school.
When the CFA lawyer asked why enhanced rights were sought, the social worker replied that the carers had known the child all his life and met his needs in full. In a lighter moment, she added that the child had a great love of vacuum cleaners.
The judge asked about progress with the paediatric referral. The social worker said she would check with the disability team but saw no immediate urgency.
Having heard the evidence, the judge said she was satisfied that the child received positive and supportive care. She granted the application for enhanced rights.