Parents unwilling to care for child

In some situations, a parent may be unable or unwilling to care for their child. In exceptional circumstances a child may be considered as a dependant if the parents are unwilling to care for the child.

To help determine whether the parents have exceptional circumstances and are unwilling to care for the child, consider whether the parents feel that their:

• child would be better cared for in another environment (for example, a child with specific needs who requires full-time attention from their caregiver that they feel they cannot give)
• family is at risk while that child remains in their care (for example, their child has behavioural problems or other issues which could result in other family members being placed at risk should the child remain in their care)

These are examples only, however, and other situations may also fit the criteria of a parent being unable or, in exceptional circumstances, unwilling to care for the child.