CHILDCARE

Childcare matters with an international element

We represented four children of Kurdish/Iraq nationality following a report by the police to social services that the eldest child may be at risk of a forced marriage and there were concerns over physical chastisement of the children.

Social Services sought interim care orders in respect of all the children following disclosures made by one of the children and the eldest child (16) expressing fear about remaining in the family home and not wishing to have contact with her parents. However it transpired that there was no risk of a forced marriage. It also became apparent that the second eldest, having been raised in England, was rebelling against the Kurdish cultural boundaries.

After some work with the family all four children were returned to the care of their parents and the local authority withdrew their applications for care orders.