Most Wardship Applications are made in order to prevent removal from the United Kingdom when there is a risk of child abduction.  If a child is missing the Applicant can ask the High Court to make location and collection orders and ask for publicity to trace a missing child.

Wardship has been used to halt proposed operations on a child and in some cases foster parents have safeguarded their position by preventing parents from removing a child from their care pending a Court hearing.

Use of Wardship by Local Authorities

Whilst the local authority is caring for a child it may be called upon to make an important decision concerning that child’s future.

A child can also be made a ward of the High Court. In such cases, the High Court has powers to make Orders dealing with particular aspects of a child’s welfare.  This means that the Court has a continuing supervisory function over the child.  Since the passing of the Children Act 1989, which restricts the Local Authority’s use of Wardship, there have been many fewer cases involving this.

If you need legal advice in respect of this we can help. We provide free initial telephone consultations for all our clients. Call our specialist Child Law Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 or contact us online for advice.