Daniel Sheridan acted for the Mother in care and adoption proceedings in the Family Court. The Mother was profoundly deaf. Prior to proceedings being instigated, professionals involved in working with the Mother had failed to conduct a proper assessment of the Mother’s communication needs.
So as to ensure that the Mother’s communication needs were met Dr S. O’Rourke was instructed, who is a specialist clinical psychologist for deaf people, to conduct a full assessment of the Mother’s communication needs. The case was thereafter conducted with full regard to the principles set out in Re C (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 128 to ensure the Mother’s ability to engage fully in the proceedings.