Relationship between Care Orders and DoLS for 17-year-olds

West Sussex County Council v AB and Another [2025] EWCA Civ 132

The Court of Appeal considered a very sad case concerning a 17-year-old young person who had suffered virtually all her life from a range of problems. Central to this appeal was the question as to whether a care order was necessary when the young person was subject to a care plan and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The trial judge had concluded that a care order was needed but the Court of Appeal disagreed.