Heartbreaking to think that this whole situation could have been prevented had there been robust planning and appropriate channels of communication between MA and NH.
With regards to Dad being ‘approved’ as Harmony’s main carer, would there even be an assessment involved? In my country, his name on her birth certificate would give him parental rights would ultimately trump everything. Children’s services may even have sought him out to allow them to proceed with permanency planning as they’re legally obliged to do so.
IMO it may even be the case that Dad refused offers of ongoing support, engagement wouldn’t necessarily be statutory because he was her Dad, he held parental rights. His history alone would obviously have been cause for concern IMO, but as someone mentioned previously, if his convictions didn’t relate to child maltreatment, he was in an apparently stable relationship and had children with his new partner etc., then it may have seemed preferable that Harmony go live with him rather than continue in FC. If he had no current involvement with the justice system or substance misuse etc, then there would have been no grounds for a judge to order ongoing input from children’s services.
All my own musings and opinions as I try to wrap my head around how this poor child fell through the cracks.
It really seems to be a case of poor Harmony being out of sight, therefore out of mind. Where are you beautiful girl?