Jersey child found 70 miles away from UK care unit

Thursday 25 July 2024

A Jersey child sent to a UK residential unit managed to flee 70 miles from the home, and bought cannabis, the Royal Court has heard.

The concern was raised by the 13-year-old's mother, who was seeking to discharge a previous care order made by the Royal Court.

During the hearing to decide whether the current care arrangements should remain in place, evidence from the child's social worker was that the child had been "doing well" at the UK-based home, despite having absconded several times.

The court's recent judgment noted that this was "particularly during the period – and... this is no criticism of the parents – when there was no contact between him and his family".

However, the "surreptitious supply" of both a bank card and a mobile phone by the child's father were found by the Royal Court to have been disruptive.

The Court said that this was "not helpful" and the placement had been somewhat "undermined" by this, with the child having apparently used the card "to buy the cannabis" he was found with.

It noted that, while there may have been an objection to the placement, "no alternative" had been put forward. 

Taking particular account of the social worker's comments, the court said that meetings with the social worker – with whom the child seemed to have a good relationship – would be the "appropriate forum" for the mother to raise any concerns.

Dismissing the mother's application, the Royal Court concluded: "In the circumstances of this case and bearing in mind the desirability of ensuring that [the child] is settled in his placement – while of course any legitimate concerns are ventilated and responded to – we dismiss this application to discharge the care order."

The case was heard by the Deputy Bailiff, Robert MacRae, sitting with Jurats Andrew Cornish and Le David Heuzé.