Research into applications made to the Deprivation of Liberty court, located at the Royal Courts of Justice, reveals concerning findings regarding the restriction of vulnerable children’s movements and freedoms. The court, operating as a 12-month pilot since July last year, aims to handle cases involving the deprivation of a child’s liberty.
These court orders can involve confining a child to their room or restricting their access to technology, such as phones or social media. On average, there are 116 applications per month, with the highest number occurring in March of this year. However, the figure dropped to 88 in April.
Since the court’s launch until April this year, a total of 1,139 applications have been issued, including 76 repeat orders related to changes in application details. The research conducted by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory indicates that 1,069 children have been affected by these applications.
The applications have been made by 151 councils and 21 other entities, often hospital or mental health trusts, seeking to limit the liberty of children in hospitals who are not already under the care of a local authority.
Regional analysis shows that over a fifth of applications come from councils in the North West of England, while London local authorities account for 17.2%. The fewest applications originate from councils in the North East. This regional distribution has remained consistent throughout the pilot’s first 10 months.
Nearly 60% of the applications pertain to children aged 15 to 17, with 15-year-olds being the most affected group, representing over a quarter of the orders since July. Additionally, Nuffield’s research indicates that 1.3% of applications are for children aged 10 or younger.
Slightly more girls than boys are subject to these applications, according to the findings.
Miguel Valerio 