Judge says children in care should be with ‘culturally appropriate’ carers
A High Court judge said children taken from their parents should be placed with ‘culturally appropriate’ carers, following a ruling involving a Portsmouth family.
Mr Justice Baker said social workers are in danger of not appreciating the importance of children’s culture and religion.
The London judge, who sits in the Family Division of the High Court, said Muslim children should, where possible, be placed with Sunni or Shia carers in accordance with their background.
He has made comments in a ruling after being asked to make decisions about the futures of seven children from a Muslim family in Portsmouth. Social workers had raised concerns about the welfare of the youngsters – aged between 4 and 13.