Catholic girl sues over foster home
Press Association
Friday March 9, 2007 9:43 AM
A Roman Catholic teenager has launched a £70,000 damages action against a council for sending her to live with Protestant foster parents.
The 18-year-old claims she was denied the opportunity to follow her religious persuasion during her time in care from the age of eight.
She is now seeking £70,000 in damages from Highland Council.
A judge has given the go-ahead for the case to be heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Scotland's supreme civil court.
In a written judgment, Lord Uist said the action involved "novel and difficult questions of law".
The girl, who is only identified in court papers as "AR", was taken into care in 1997 after moving from the South of England to the Highlands with her mother, stepfather and brother. She remained in care for the next nine years.
Papers lodged in court state: "Although she is a Roman Catholic, the defenders placed her with two sets of foster carers who were Protestants and failed to facilitate her continuing to follow her religious persuasion throughout the period she was looked after and accommodated."
The teenager also alleges that her human rights were breached as she was prevented from having a relationship with her mother while in care. It is also claimed that the council failed to provide the girl, who has a learning disability, with appropriate education.
The teenager who returned to her mother's care last year, claims she has suffered from anxiety, distress, depression and educational impairment as a result of the council's actions.
She is seeking £50,000 for her suffering, loss of earnings and loss of employability and £20,000 for the alleged breach of her human rights. No date has been set for a further hearing.
2007-03-19 04:48:41 · 17 answers · asked by clever investor 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
damn, wouldnt the world be so much better and easier without religion
2007-03-19 05:33:52 · answer #1 · answered by just_a_metaphor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I understand the Children Act (1989) there is a requirement for the local authority to provide a suitable foster placement for a child that would allow the child to practice her religion. In addition there is a requirement that a child is able to have contact with birth parents. This is English law and has been open to interpretation by different local authorities over the years. However, I think the girl would have a strong case if she can prove that the local authority failed to provide her with appropriate education. Educational underachievement is a big issue with children who are looked after by the state.
Best wishes to this young woman.
2007-03-20 06:50:51 · answer #2 · answered by Sue M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This case will be a test case I should think.....
She has probably been backed in these allegations from someone somewhere
Does get you thinking tho.....not about her case but how many folks could pursue some legal chase in the name of being damaged by abusive partners be that mental anguish etc...
I hope she does not win....the only time there would be a case to answer if she had been knowingly abused.....that cruelty had been part of the agenda what happens incidnetly in acting out of good and kind motives can only be sincerely apologised for . How many children suffer with their natural families?
How and why was this girl in care anyway?
Clearly damaged and to use the church is wrong.....the catholic church is no cure all.
Sorry maybe rambling a bit but just putting thoughts down as they come. I hope she does not win personally.
2007-03-20 05:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by eagledreams 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowadays anything is possible.
People are "sue" happy!
Look at the woman who won the case of Hot Coffee in her lap.
Any one with a brain would have known not to put a cup of McDonald's HOT coffee between your legs. But, she won the case cause the cup didn't say... CAUTION: Container holds hot beverage... etc. You get my point!!!
The system in England should have placed this girl in a home that followed the Roman Catholic belief. But, since they failed to do so, I imagine the girl will win her case. The family should NOT have stopped her from having a relationship with her birth mum (as they say it). Unless of course she was taken from the family because of sexual misconduct.
Tell the story of why she was taken from her parents.
Might have a totally different view on this.
Did she really attend services from infant to nine.. right before she was removed from the home? If not, she has NO case!!!
2007-03-19 12:03:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just when you think society cant sink any lower, what next lets sue our mothers for giving birth to us ! that girl should be grateful she had a home with a family instead of being in care like so many kids that never get the chance to be part of a family,if she feels she missed out all she has to do is start going to chapel,how is money going to replace those years where she thinks she was denied her religion , i always thought its what you do as a person that defines you not what you believe or have faith in!
2007-03-20 09:41:43 · answer #5 · answered by binky677 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My goodness! Then should children with their biological parents should be allowed to sue them, because they believed in a different religion, but are forced to follow their parents? Should I sue my mom, because she didn't want me to follow Wicca while as a teenager?
All that money for this! I would mad to if I wasn't allowed to see my mother, but to ask for 70,000? Whoa!
2007-03-19 11:57:00 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on what you wrote, I hope she wins. She was denied basic freedoms, freedom of religion and the right to an education. She was also denied a relationship with her mother, although we don't know why she wasn't with her mother to begin with. It sounds like the system did an injustice to this girl.
May God Bless you.
2007-03-19 11:56:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What a con, and we pay the bill all round, she should see and talk to people that know what real stress is all about, looks just like another lazy teenager
2007-03-19 11:53:53 · answer #8 · answered by ringo711 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We should all petition for a new law called the "Get a Life Act"
especially for people like this
2007-03-19 11:58:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything for free cash. Some people have no sense of shame. I understand why you were upset to read about this - but the lunatics in control are enjoying their moment in power.
2007-03-19 11:53:02 · answer #10 · answered by I'm Sparticus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about English law but I weren't judge her to win for she is being a teenage imature brat.
2007-03-19 11:56:13 · answer #11 · answered by missgigglebunny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋