Question:

Louiseis a single mother and has two (2) childrenPeteraged six (6) and Amy aged four (4).Louise is aged 28 and lives in a rented council flat with Peter and Amy.

Louiseleft school at sixteen with no formal qualifications and has struggled to find a permanent job. As such she has suffered from a lack of self-confidence. Louise has a history of drink and drug use but has been sober and free from drugs for the past two (2) years.Louisehas a limited support network although she does see her mother, Betty, aged 57 and her father George, aged 65,during Christmas and Easter, but only occasionally at other times.

Bettyhas a difficult relationship with Louise. She is ashamed of her drink and drug abuse as well as the fact that she had two (2) children out of wedlock. She does not believe that Louise is fit to raise the children and has said that Peter and Amy can live with her but only if she has proper responsibility for them. She does not wantLouisedipping in and out of parenting them at her own convenience. George has remained silent on the matter, though he loves Louise, Peter and Amy very much.

RecentlyLouisehas found it hard to financially support her children and, in order to supplement her state benefit, she has been engaging inpart time sexwork.Louiseusuallygets her mother and/or father to look after the children if they are willing to do so. However, at other times, she has left thechildren in the flat on their own fora couple of hoursat a time.

Inaddition,James, the father of both children, has just returned from Peru and has indicated that he would like to havemoreinvolvement in the lives of Peter and Amy. Louise says that James left them all whenAmy was only six (6) months old and that he was often violent towards her and the children. James does not dispute this but states that he has changed since that time. He also insists that the children's surname is changed to be the same as his now that he is back in the UK.

Peterand Amy's school head teacher, has recently noticed that both children are lookinga bitdirty, undernourished and generally uncared for. She contactsMaryatKaplanSocial Services. Mary, a social worker from Kaplan Social Services,calls round toLouise's home butLouisetells her that the children are staying with her mother, which is not true.

Advise:

1. Mary on her rights and duties towards the children and how she may best plan for their future.
2. Louise on how she may challenge any decision taken by the Local Authority were she not to agree with it.
3. James on how he might get more involved in the children's lives and whether he can change their surname.
4. Betty on how she mightacquirea more formal role in the upbringing of the children providing her with the responsibility shewould prefer.
5. Give as detailed response as possible. Use British caselaw and statutues. Give the referneces using OSCOLA referencing. Use primary and secondary sources for the response and give as much analysis and caselaws and acts as possible.