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United Kingdom

Court of Appeal clarifies local authority vicarious liability for abuse by approved kinship foster carers; relationship akin to employment; motives irrelevant (DJ v Barnsley MBC, England and Wales)

Published on: 09 September 2024

Published by a LexisNexis PI & Clinical Negligence expert
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Article summary

DJ v Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and another [2024] EWCA Civ 841

What are the practical implications of this case?

The Court of Appeal has effectively resolved the earlier gap in the law concerning familial foster carers, who are now to be treated in the same way as non-familial foster carers for the purposes of vicarious liability. Where familial foster carers have been assessed and approved by the local authority, vicarious liability may attach even if they receive no remuneration. It remains possible that the Supreme Court will be invited to re-examine the position.

What was the background?

The claimant, then aged ten, had been deserted by his parents, and the local authority arranged a placement with his maternal aunt and uncle. A foster assessment was undertaken by the local authority, which later assumed parental responsibility for the child. Many years afterwards, the claimant alleged he had been abused by his...

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