The law
3.I am most grateful to Miss Watson and Miss Haworth for their efforts in preparing a summary of the applicable law. This document has been agreed by all parties. I lend my support to it and apply it when making my decisions. However, there are some broad important principles that must be noted. The applicant local authority makes its allegations and must prove these on a balance of probabilities. Its detailed allegations as set out in the attached schedule inform the ‘threshold criteria’ as set out in s 31(2) of the Children Act (1989) (the ‘Act’). This section provides that;