Neutral Citation Number: [2010] EWCC 22 (Fam)
IN THE COUNTY COURT

Tuesday 13th April 2010

Before:-

HER HONOUR JUDGE 

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Re:  DH (A minor)

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ANONYMISED JUDGMENT
(Approved)
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JUDGE:
1	I am dealing today with an application by W.C.C. for a Care Order in respect of a little boy called D.J.H.  He was born on [a date] 2008 and is, therefore, two years and [some months] old, and his parents are K.H. and M.J.  They are quite young parents themselves, I think, being just 19 and 18 as things stand today.
2	D, sadly, suffered two episodes of injury whilst in his parents’ care within the first few months of his life, the last one being in October 2008 when he was removed from their care and placed with his paternal grandparents, where he remains. It is agreed by all parties today that he should stay with his paternal grandparents and that he should stay there under the auspices of a Care Order to the local authority.
3	There has been inordinate delay in the local authority finalising their assessments of the grandparents and, indeed, finalising and filing their final evidence and care plan in this case, but, happily, despite the inordinate delay, there has not actually been any prejudice to the child as he has remained in his family placement throughout.
4	There are some concerns on the part of the local authority about the grandparents’ ability to properly recognise the findings of this court in relation to the parents’ involvement in the injuries of D and, therefore, the grandparents’ ability to protect D from any risk from his parents. It must be made clear to the grandparents that they have to supervise the parents’ contact to D. The court has made findings about the parents’ part in the injuries to D and the grandparents, as part of their responsibilities to D, must supervise the parents’ contacts with him.
5	I make the Care Order placing D in the care of the local authority but with a care plan that he remains in the day to day care of his paternal grandparents.  Notwithstanding some concerns about his being a bit grubby on occasions, it is very clear that he is much loved by them and that his day to day needs are met in a loving family environment. So I make the Care Order and I make no order as to costs save public funding assessment.  Thank you.
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