Case study: Two teenagers taken into care

Two teenage girls, whose mother was in court seven times for failing to take them to school, were taken into care at a District Family Court in a provincial town, according to the latest Child Care Law Reporting Project report.

The children were initially removed in 2014, when the mother was admitted to hospital due to mental health problems. She had also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

A psychologist said the mother was at the fourth percentile of cognitive ability, meaning 96 per cent of the population would have a higher ability.

Asked if people on the fourth percentile could raise children, the psychologist said “absolutely”, but it depended on their environment and what supports they had.

Asked if the mother could recover from her mental health problems, the psychologist said she could not, but she could be kept well and stable and could interact with her children.

Another psychologist, who carried out a parenting capacity assessment, said the mother did not understand the educational needs of her children, and there was unintentional neglect. She agreed she loved her children very much and they loved her.

Hygiene

She said 24-hour parenting support would be necessary, if the children were to live at home, as the mother could not meet their health, hygiene or educational needs.

An education welfare officer, who gave evidence about the children missing school, said he was sure the mother had understood the children had to go to school.

Over a 15-month period, she had seven court appearances for failure to send her children to school. Asked if he had ever checked the mother’s capacity to understand what was required of her, the officer said “No”.

The woman’s access to her daughters was to be reduced to one hour a week, the court was told, to help the children settle in to their foster homes and allow them enjoy their teenage years.

The mother’s barrister said this would damage their relationship. The mother opposed the application and told the judge she wanted a chance to look after her kids. Asked about access, she said she used to enjoy it when she met the girls for lunch and shopping, but now it was just an hour with a family support worker present.

Making an order taking the children into care until adulthood, the judge said the case would come back before the court to review access and the children should receive therapeutic support.