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In the United Kingdom, the government took away the baby of a couple with intellectual disabilities. They said that they could not look after the child properly. The couple did not see their baby for a year. The couple went to court because they thought that they have the right to see their child. The judge said that taking away their baby was against their human rights. The people with intellectual disabilities were given money. and they were allowed to see their baby again. |
A couple with intellectual disabilities from the United Kingdom has won compensation in a unique court case after their new-born child was taken away by social services.
The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons but are in their 30s, were separated from their their baby for more than a year. They now received £12,000 in compensation after a court battle this month.
The court heard how the medical professionals responsible had failed to identify that the woman was pregnant. It however remains to be seen whether or not she had intentionally concealed the pregnancy.
Following the birth of the child, social workers from the City Council of Leicester, the city where the couple reside, claimed that the child was ‘at risk of significant harm’ and could not return home with the parents.
Over the year after the birth, the Council systematically failed to launch proper proceedings to investigate whether or not the parents were fit and proper to look after their child. It was not until almost a year later that the couple was invited to attend a 12-week residential course for an assessment.
The judge hearing the case concluded that the fundamental human rights of the couple were breached as Council representatives failed to consult them and they were not fairly represented. Clifford Bellamy, the judge supporting the family, also claimed that the council had failed to respect the privacy and family life of the young family.
While the council was ordered to pay £6,000 to each parent, both of whom have an intellectual disability, the parents suffered a considerable loss of time with their new-born daughter.
The child is soon to turn 18 months old and the couple is able to care for her under supervision from the city’s social services.
