W and others (Implementation of Adoption Plan Pending Appeal)
[2024] EWCA Civ 837 · Court of Appeal
What happened: Family members appealed decisions about four children while the local authority continued adoption planning for the younger three. Farewell contact was arranged despite the authority knowing that legal challenges were being pursued. One issue in the appeals was whether the grandmother should have been given a further assessment as a possible family carer.
What the court decided: Following concessions that further assessment was needed, care and placement orders for X, Y and Z were set aside. The father withdrew his separate appeal concerning W. The court also explained what had gone wrong in progressing the adoption plan while appeals were pending. It did not decide every disputed appeal ground or make a final placement decision for the three younger children.
Why it matters to adoptees: Ending visits and saying goodbye can have real consequences before any final adoption order exists. This case records judicial criticism of allowing the adoption process to move ahead prematurely. For adoptees examining their history, it highlights the importance of the sequence of decisions, contact changes and challenges. The successful appeals led to further assessment and proceedings, not a verified outcome of reunification.
Review limitations recorded
No exhaustive later treatment review; subsequent final welfare outcome not verified.
Limitations: Successful appeals were resolved by concessions, not adjudication of every ground. Further assessment and proceedings followed; final placement outcomes not checked.
Case details and sources
Adoptee involvement: Family members brought the appeal(s) concerning children; not an adult adoptee application.
Remedy sought: Care and placement orders set aside; further welfare proceedings required.
Legal route: Appeal concerning care and placement orders
Judgments in this case
- [2024] EWCA Civ 837 · Court of Appeal · 2024-07-25 · Judgment
Sources checked
- Judgment source (opens in a new tab)
Paragraphs 1 and 37–49 · Judgment
Review scope: Approved judgment hosted by counsel’s chambers checked for concessions, order-specific outcomes and criticism of adoption planning pending appeal. No exhaustive later treatment or subsequent outcome review.
Human verification pending. Entry: CASE-NEW-034.