Case No. LV21C01426

(Children Care Plans) [2017] EWFC B65 (24 August 2017) is a decision of HHJ Bellamy. The facts of this case are remarkably similar to the current case in that HHJ Bellamy also had to grapple with various options for placement of a large sibling group. The judgment emphasises how complex the issues are and the need for the assessments upon the children’s possible separation to consider all the permutations and the effect the possible outcomes will have on each child. The learned judge concluded that the final hearing in ABCDE had to be adjourned. In order to conclude the matter fairly, the judge took the view that it was necessary for further psychological evidence to be obtained dealing with the very issues that I have outlined above. In his case His Honour Judge Bellamy had the advantage that the case had until the point of the final hearing been conducted only just outside of the statutory six month period and he was able to justifiably say that further delay was necessary to conclude the case fairly. The timetable in this case is very different. The local authority issued its application on 10 May 2021 which means that the case is now in its 82nd week. Considering the ages of the children, it would be impossible to justify delay for any further assessment. None of the parties seek such a delay and therefore the case must be decided on the evidence that is available.