In a child protection trial involving three young children, the court found the children in need of protection on grounds of actual and risk of physical harm and emotional harm arising from neglect, chronic household clutter, poor hygiene, rigid and conflictual parenting, and the caregiver’s inability to meet the children’s emotional needs.
The court accepted expert psycho-legal evidence that the children had significant attachment-related difficulties and that the caregiver’s personality structure and parenting style made meaningful change unlikely within the children’s timelines.
The court held that Crown wardship with a view to adoption was the least intrusive disposition consistent with the children’s best interests.
No access order was made, although sibling contact was expected to continue where possible.
