When considering the need for measures to protect a child, the local authority did not first require evidence to a standard which would satisfy a court even on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities. At the later stage where decisions might be taken by a court was the time when standards of evidence came to be applied. When deciding to begin an investigation, the words of the statute were enough. They had only to have reasonable cause to suspect that a child might suffer harm.
Citations:
Times 27-Jun-2001, [2001] EWHC Admin 334
Links:
Statutes:
Children, Local Government
Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.86003