Roma sisters ordered to remain with UK foster family
The girls' parents, who are Hungarian citizens and have returned to their homeland, did not want the adoption to go ahead.
Friday 21 October 2016 12:24, UK
Two little girls born in Britain but whose parents have returned to Hungary are to be adopted and allowed to remain in the UK.
The sisters, aged four and three, were placed in temporary foster care three years ago because social services were worried about their welfare.
Their parents, Hungarian citizens from the Roma community, had returned home but did not want their children to be adopted.
Now, High Court judge Peter Jackson has concluded it is in the children's best interest to remain and be adopted by their foster family.
Mr Justice Jackson revealed local authority social services bosses in London had asked him to make decisions about the girls' futures.
"In 2013, the children needed to be removed from their parents, who were not looking after them properly," said the judge.
"They now need a family that will meet their needs throughout their childhoods and make them feel that they belong.
"The foster family is meeting the children's needs in every way."
He said it would be an "emotional catastrophe" for the children if they were moved and added: "No member of the wider family in Hungary is in a position to look after the children.
"It would not be right for the children to be sent to Hungary to be placed in foster care ... It would be likely to cause them harm, with lifelong consequences."
The judge said the girls' parents had "natural feelings of affection" but could not meet "even their most basic physical and emotional needs".