This case involved a child and a local authority care plan proposing placement outside his family. The Court of Appeal reviewed concerns about whether all options were fairly considered.
Importantly, the judgment did not mention that the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) disagreed with the local authority’s plan. The IRO believed the child could be placed with the grandmother under a care order, an option not disclosed to the decision-making panel.
The Court upheld the original decision but emphasised the need for transparency in care planning and ensuring all professional views, especially those of the IRO, are properly considered.
