Supporting a very young Father to care for his newborn baby

Marie represented a very young Father who had discovered through DNA testing that he was the Father of a baby who is involved in care proceedings.

The newborn baby was placed in the care of the Maternal Grandmother under an Interim Care Order while the Mother was assessed as to capacity to instruct Solicitors in the proceedings.

At the CMH the Maternal Grandmother’s position changed in that she was no longer able to care for the baby and as a result the LA sought to place the baby in foster care. The Father wished to be able to care for the baby in a parent and baby foster placement.

The case was adjourned to a contested interim care hearing in which the court would decide whether the child went into foster care, or would be placed with the Father in a parent and baby foster placement.