Case No. LV21C01426

2019. Robertson and Broadhurst. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Volume 33, Issue 2, August 2019, Pages 181–203. This is an enlightening piece of research which highlights the pitfalls the Court can fall into by adopting referenced research without any analysis of its legitimacy or efficacy.65.Returning to the Adoption UK research I am concerned that the conclusions contained within the report are premised by a stated agenda. The purpose for writing and presenting the report was to encourage relevant authorities both locally and nationally to provide more resources for adoptive placements. Whilst I do not in any way criticise a report for these good intentions, I am sceptical as to the extent the report should be relied on as being sufficiently independent to inform a judicial decision.66.In his closing submissions on behalf of the Guardian Mr Rogan emphasised that the Guardian relied on her recommendations upon the research of Selwyn (2014) which she says also relies on SDQ scores and it is the Guardian’s view that the SDQ scores of the children are an indicator of a likelihood of placement breakdown if the children were not placed in the manner that she recommends.67.