THE ISSUES
33.The issues in this case relate to the father’s substance misuse and mental health difficulties. The father has self-harmed in the past including attempts at suicide and he has been Sectioned under the Mental Heath Act on 3 occasions. His issues with drugs/substance abuse have involved alcohol, heroin, cannabis, crack cocaine and Ketamine.34.There has been drug testing of the father undertaken by AlphaBiolabs during the proceedings in September 2021 and March 2022 (E24-45 and E114-135). On the first occasion the hair sample, limited to 3.5 months, was tested for Cocaine, Cannabis and Opiates. The father tested negative for the identified drugs but positive for Ketamine in the medium/high range. The second tests gave similar results. 35.The father has recently raised some issues about the mother’s past use of drugs and her lifestyle but this is historic and there is no evidence of any recent concerns. There is no evidence that A is at risk in her care and she was also assessed by [………………] Local Authority in 2019.IV
- INTRODUCTION
- THE BACKGROUND AND THE COURT PROCEEDINGS (inserted from the Case Summary prepared by “A’ ”s Solicitor and Guardian for efficacy)
- THE ISSUES
- THE POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES
- THE HEARING
- THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
- The Guardian:
- The father:
- The mother:
- Dr Nadeem:
- THE WELFARE CHECKLIST
- MY DECISION AND ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS
- CONCLUSION
- CONSEQUENTIAL ISSUES
- ORDERS