Tom Wilson acted for the Local Authority in the Court of Appeal case of Re S (Foster Care or Placement for Adoption) [2026] EWCA Civ 47.

This was an appeal by the local authority against the judge’s decision to refuse its application for a placement order in respect of the child, S, who could not be cared for within her family. The judge determined that the child should remain in long-term foster care.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. Its judgment addresses the correct approach to the court’s welfare analysis between foster care and adoption, particularly where a high level of ongoing contact is recommended.