Rebecca Handcock represented a young man being deprived of his liberty in a bespoke placement sourced for him by the local authority. He is 18 years old and has a diagnosis of autism and ADHD.
Previously the local authority had had a care order in place while he was a child.
However the local authority has unlawfully continued to significantly restrict his contact with his parents. There is substantial evidence from multiple sources that suggests the placement offers him insufficient stimulation and opportunities to interact with others, which is having a detrimental impact on his mental health.
Rebecca successfully argued on the young man’s behalf that:
- the local authority was “failing” him (echoed by Her Honour Judge Harris’ judgment),
- he ought to be allowed to have contact with his parents without restriction (including overnight visits), and
- significant changes were required to the local authority’s conduct towards him.
Additionally, Rebecca successfully persuaded the court that an independent social worker be instructed to provide expert evidence on his care planning going forward.