Adoption judgment attacks local authority's attitude to father

 

• Father ignored as his child was put up for adoption.
• Court of Appeal orders all family judges and adoption agencies to take note.

 

A Court of Appeal ruling today described as ‘disgraceful’ for the way a local authority blocked a father’s attempt to care for his child, instead the child was adopted the day before the father could have his case heard. Lord Justice Thorpe said: “That this appellant has suffered a manifest injustice can hardly be disputed. The others may suffer similarly in future is an evident risk.”

 

Lord Justice Wall, ordered that copies of their Court of Appeal ruling should be sent to all family judges, and every adoption agency, said the conduct of the council in blocking the father’s attempts to have his voice heard in the courts was “disgraceful”. “That is not a word I use lightly,” he said.

 

Families Need Father's Chief Executive, Jon Davies said:

 

“This judgement recognises the role that birth parents should be given the chance to play in their child’s lives. Adoption agencies can no longer ignore a father who might wish to care for his child. We hope this will also apply to grandparents in similar situations. Sadly and yet again, the secrecy of family law has led to personal tragedy. Who will explain this to the child in the future when they ask why their father wouldn’t look after them?”

-  ENDS -

 Note for editors: Families Need Fathers (FNF) is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

 

For comment or information please contact:

Nick Barnard, Director of Communications 07979 206 384

John Baker, FNF Chair 07881 644 917

Jon Davies, FNF CEO 07976 935 986

Becky Sibert, Policy & Information Officer 020 7613 5060

 

Please see Families Need Fathers ‘programme for change’ Father’s Day Manifesto at

http://www.fnf.org.uk/publications-resources/articles/fathers-day-manifesto