Teenager wins gay fostering decision
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A GAY teenager has won the right to be placed with gay foster carers, following a council U-turn.
His two-year battle ended yesterday when a High Court judge was told that a London council's social services department had at last agreed to his request.
The 15-year-old "H", who cannot be named for legal reasons, had launched a legal challenge against Wandsworth Borough Council.
He accused the authority of "unreasonably and irrationally" refusing to give due consideration to his wish to live with gay foster carers. He had repeatedly made the request to the council.
His application for judicial review was withdrawn yesterday before Mr Justice Cazalet after the council indicated it would now comply with his request.
"H" was first accommodated by Wandsworth in February 1996, following family problems. From the start, he asked for gay foster carers. "H", whose ambition is to become a performing artist, hugged his team outside court and said yesterday: "I am really happy. Two-and-a-half years of torment are finally over.
"I can start living my childhood, which has been ripped away from me over the last two-and-a-half years."
He thanked his legal team, led by the barrister Alan Inglis and solicitor Paul Aitchison, and his mother, for being "completely supportive all the way through".
His solicitor, Paul Aitchison, said outside court that he was "astounded" by the refusal of Wandsworth social services to agree to the 15-year-old's request. He said all the social workers involved had recommended that he should be placed with gay carers.
Mr Aitchison said: "We are not saying that H's sexuality was the only issue, as clearly that was not the case.
"Wandsworth adopted a political stance, rather than a child-centred stance."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments