ON APPEAL FROM THE MAGISTRATES SITTING IN CHESTER
Courtroom No. 2535 Vernon StreetLiverpoolL2 2BXBefore:HIS HONOUR JUDGE PARKERB E T W E E N:A LOCAL AUTHORITYandF, E, D, A, B & CMR SENIOR appeared on behalf of the ApplicantMS HEWITT appeared on behalf of the Respondent MotherMS DEANS appeared on behalf of the Fourth Respondent FatherMS JONES appeared on behalf of the Respondent Maternal Grandmother MR HAGGIS appeared on behalf of the Children through their GuardianJUDGMENTThis Transcript is Crown Copyright. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, other than in accordance with relevant licence or with the express consent of the Authority. All rights are reserved.This judgment was delivered in private. The judge has given leave for this version of the judgment to be published on condition that (irrespective of what is contained in the judgment) in any published version of the judgment the anonymity of the children and members of their family must be strictly preserved. All persons, including representatives of the media, must ensure that this condition is strictly complied with. Failure to do so will be a contempt of court.HHJ PARKER:1.This is an oral judgment delivered from notes. In this appeal, I am dealing with three children, A, who is aged 11, B, who is aged 10 and C, who is aged five. They appear through the Children’s Guardian, Michelle Smith, and are represented by Mr Haggis.2.This is an appeal by the maternal grandmother, D, against a decision of the Chester Magistrates refusing her application for an assessment by an independent social worker. She is represented by Ms Jones. 3.The appeal is supported by the fourth respondent father, Mr E. He is father to C and is represented by Ms Deans. The appeal is also supported by the mother, F, who is represented by Ms Hewitt. In addition, the appeal is supported by the Children’s Guardian. 4.The appeal is opposed by the Local Authority, who are represented by Mr Senior.