Welfare checklist
49.Before I can make a placement order I have to think about X and Y’s welfare throughout their lives - not just now when they are little, or even when they are 18. What will they think when they are 30, or 50 or 70? Whatever I decide will affect them for a long time. 50.If X and Y are adopted they will stop being part of their biological family. They won’t see their mum and dad. They will lose a chance to grow up with their biological family and do normal day to day things with them, which might be sad and confusing for them as they get older. It is important that my decision is explained to them as they get older. The guardian’s report and the social workers statement mention X and Y’s welfare throughout their lives, and the impact of being adopted. 51.The law also gives me a list of other things I have to think about to help me make the right decision for X and Y. This is called the welfare checklist (actually there are two). X and Y are normal healthy little girls (but X is being assessed) and don’t seem to have any particular needs or difficulties. Although they don’t have any special needs, like any other little girls they will need to be physically looked after, to live in a safe clean home, and to be ready to join in at school with work and play. I also have to think about change – but whatever I decide they will have to move to a new carer which will be confusing for them.52.Finally, the welfare checklist says I have to think about what harm X and Y might suffer in future – that is really important. Sadly, I don’t think that there has been enough change since the start of the case for X and Y to be safe from harm with their mum. All of the evidence tells me that they would be at risk in the future as they grow up.