FD25F00014 - [2025] EWHC 2483 (Fam)

The local authority has put forward a plan for YV to transition to the grandmother’s care, which I am happy to approve. The proposal (subject to the grandmother securing a visa to travel to the UK) is for there to be a fortnight of video contact between YV and the grandmother, with the contact sessions becoming more regular and of increased duration. The grandmother would then travel to the UK for a period of a fortnight. Her costs of travel and her reasonable costs whilst in the UK will be met by the local authority. The grandmother will have direct contact with YV, initially every other day, during which she will observe the care that YV is currently receiving from the current carers. As the fortnight progresses, contact will become daily, and the grandmother will take on aspects of YV’s care.

The plan is that by the end of the fortnight YV should be ready to transition into the sole care of the grandmother and to travel back with her to Kazakhstan. The order that I have made under section 13 of the Children Act 1989 provides that the permission for YV’s removal from the jurisdiction is contingent upon the transition plan being satisfactorily completed and the local authority providing final written consent to the removal at the end of those arrangements. This condition has been attached to ensure that the transition takes place at YV’s pace and if the local authority considers at the end of the planned transition period that YV requires additional time before transitioning to the grandmother’s sole care this can be provided.

I have approved the transition plan on the basis that although the child arrangements order that I have made will take effect immediately, the grandmother will co-operate with the local authority and the approved transition plan and YV will continue to be accommodated by the local authority with the current foster carers under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 until YV is ready to transition into the grandmother’s sole care.

My order will include a request to the UK agencies to take all steps necessary to expedite the grandmother’s request for a UK visa, to enable the transition plan to take effect. With a view to assisting with that process I make clear that the purpose of the transition period is not to assess the grandmother’s suitability to care for YV. That assessment has already taken effect and for the reasons that I have already set out, I am satisfied that the grandmother is able to care for YV and that it is in YV’s best interests that she should do so. The purpose of the transition period is to give time and space for YV to become familiar with the grandmother before moving to her full-time care.