A British couple could be the first in France after Brexit to be granted special guardianship of a British child after a British court gave them permission to care for their grandson.
Patricia and David Rowland, from Deux-Sèvres, whom we featured earlier this year, have now been able to bring back Isaac, one year old, and say he is settling in well.
Read more: Brexit: grandparents in France ask for the guardianship of a British grandson
Social workers in the UK had previously told Ms Rowland the couple may not be granted special guardianship due to issues with their recognition by France after Brexit.
However, at the end, she declared “the [UK] judge was amazing ”and gave them the status they hoped for. The status confers rights and responsibilities similar to parenthood, but allows a child to maintain basic legal ties with his biological family. Mrs. Rowland’s son and his partner were unable to care for Isaac.
Ms Rowland, 59, said the documents were translated into French by a sworn translator, who translated them by guardianship (the French equivalent), and so far this has been accepted without a doubt.
“Doctors, medical insurance, we had him baptized… there was no problem, so it should be good for people in the future.
“He was adopted by the community, loves his life here and has settled down incredibly well,” Ms. Rowland said. “He’s a happy little boy.”
She said she was now in contact with a family in Brittany seeking to do the same, who had read our articles.
“They’re not getting anywhere with UK social services in their area. I suggested they cite my case, Sunderland County Council versus Rowland, ”she said.
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