0:00:42 > 0:00:43Well?
0:00:45 > 0:00:46I don't know, Rhee.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- SHE GROANS - Why are men so useless?
0:00:52 > 0:00:53I like these.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56I'm not going clubbing. I've got to look smart.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58What did you bring them out for, then?
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Um...try the black shiny ones again.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Hurry up.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09All right.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Give me a chance. Hobbit feet.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13I have not got Hobbit feet!
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Hmm.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- There we go.- Go on, give us a twirl.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- Ta-da!- Great.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- They're going to love you. - They're going to say no.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28They're not.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30I don't know what I'll do.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31They're not.
0:01:46 > 0:01:47- Hi.- Hi.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49I got here way too early.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50You're not the only ones.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- Hiya.- Hiya.- I'm so glad you're both here.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56- Yeah, thanks for this. - It's our pleasure.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Honestly, I mean, no-one's ever spoken up for me before.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Listen, it's the least we can do. You both deserve it.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03Ooh!
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Contractions?
0:02:05 > 0:02:06How often?
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Just every now and again.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Not as bad as yesterday, though.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Just hope my waters don't go in the middle of all this.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Well, if they do, we'll handle it.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Or rather you'll handle it.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Fingers crossed it'll stay put until it's over.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- Right, come on, let's go in.- Yeah.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Thank you all for coming.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40My name is Sue Harper.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43I'm a social worker. I'll be the independent chair
0:02:43 > 0:02:46of today's child protection case conference
0:02:46 > 0:02:48for the unborn child of Rhiannon Davis.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53I'll be here to help decide the best course of action.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55This is my assistant, Eddy, who will be taking minutes.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59- Hi, folks.- Morning. - Before we get things started,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01let's go around the room to introduce ourselves.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Just give your name and a brief summation of why you're here today.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06My name's Jane Fairweather, I'm the social worker currently
0:03:06 > 0:03:08assigned to Rhiannon's case.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I'm Donna Sweeney, social worker.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15I was previously assigned to oversee the care of Rhiannon's first child.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Ruhma Hanif. I'm Rhiannon's midwife.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22I'm Dr Emma Reid. I'm Rhiannon's GP,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and I'm here to give my professional medical opinion.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26I'm Rhiannon, obviously.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And this is Paul, my partner.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- Paul Cuthbert.- Yeah, sorry.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Thank you both for attending.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35If at any point, either of you are unclear
0:03:35 > 0:03:37about what's being said,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39you must feel free to ask questions.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Let me remind you all this is not a formal court of law, but I must
0:03:44 > 0:03:48ask that you respect each other's right to speak without interruption.
0:03:48 > 0:03:49Everyone that wishes to contribute
0:03:49 > 0:03:52will get a chance to do so in due course.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55May I ask, will there be an opportunity to counter
0:03:55 > 0:03:56any statements?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Should something pertinent to the case arise from what's discussed,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03I'll see to it there's a chance to summarize before a decision is made.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Rhiannon, would you like to say a few things first?
0:04:07 > 0:04:09You're welcome to say as little or as much as you wish.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Um, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16for giving me this chance to prove what this baby means to me.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18I know that everyone in this room
0:04:18 > 0:04:19wants what's best for this baby,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and, well, so do we.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Oh, and, if you see me fidgeting, it's just a contraction.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28I'll try and sit still.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33Of course, but if you start to feel uncomfortable, you must tell us.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Dr Emma Reid, perhaps you'd like to start things off?
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Yes, thank you.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41Um...
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I have only recently met Rhiannon,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48because she is now a patient of mine,
0:04:48 > 0:04:49but it is because of this
0:04:49 > 0:04:51that I feel I might be in a position
0:04:51 > 0:04:53to give fresh eyes to this situation.
0:04:56 > 0:05:02I meet a lot of expectant mothers in my job, and I can honestly say
0:05:02 > 0:05:07that Rhiannon's commitment to her unborn child has been exceptional.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Her antenatal care has been outstanding.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14She has kept an eye on her diet and taken full responsibility
0:05:14 > 0:05:17for herself and for her environment,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20even getting Paul to give up smoking
0:05:20 > 0:05:23as soon as she found out that she was pregnant.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29I am, of course, aware of the facts of the previous case.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34Rhiannon has been very frank and open about her past mistakes.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40However, she is in a very different place now.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44And it is because of that
0:05:44 > 0:05:47that I believe keeping this family together
0:05:47 > 0:05:50is absolutely in the best interests of this child.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52KNOCK ON DOOR
0:05:54 > 0:05:55Sorry I'm late.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I've only just managed to get away from an incident.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Not a problem, please come in.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04And I know she has been working hard
0:06:04 > 0:06:06to make those changes for the long term.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- Are you all right?- In short, Rhiannon has matured...
0:06:09 > 0:06:11- Is it the baby? - ..into a conscientious...
0:06:11 > 0:06:12- No, I'm fine. - ..loving young woman...
0:06:12 > 0:06:15And I believe that she should have the chance to give those
0:06:15 > 0:06:16qualities to her child.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19Thank you.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22Ruhma Hanif.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Would you like to add to Dr Reid's
0:06:24 > 0:06:27assessment of Rhiannon's antenatal care?
0:06:27 > 0:06:31As Rhiannon's midwife, I've had the opportunity to engage with her
0:06:31 > 0:06:32throughout this pregnancy,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34and I concur with Dr Reid's description...
0:06:34 > 0:06:36RUHMA'S VOICE FADES
0:06:36 > 0:06:38BABY CRIES
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Can you foresee any signs of postnatal depression?
0:06:55 > 0:06:59I wish it were as simple as that to predict in advance.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03In my view, the uncertainty around the fate of this unborn child
0:07:03 > 0:07:05is causing tremendous stress.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08And how is that strain playing out, in your opinion?
0:07:08 > 0:07:13I think she's bearing up well under the circumstances, which bodes well.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17She's showing tremendous resilience
0:07:17 > 0:07:20and commitment to this baby at this early stage.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Thank you, Ms Hanif.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Sergeant Hollins. Perhaps you'd like to speak next.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Yeah. Um, I was asked to come in today to talk about Rhiannon's past
0:07:29 > 0:07:31dealings with the police.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33But I would like to say that I wasn't personally involved
0:07:33 > 0:07:36when Rhiannon's daughter was taken away from her five years ago.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- But you're aware of the incident in question.- Oh, yes.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43The case had a profound effect on many of my colleagues.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47But my involvement with Rhiannon in the past was entirely drug-related.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49SHOUTING AND BANGING
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- Everyone...- Get off!
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Stay where you are. You stay there.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- Don't move.- No, you don't.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58Get off me! Get out of my way!
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- Right, OK.- Get off me! - Have it your way then.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02No!
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- You'll get hurt. Stop struggling. - You can't keep me here!
0:08:05 > 0:08:08I have done nothing!
0:08:08 > 0:08:10How did she behave?
0:08:10 > 0:08:15I would say that she behaved like I would expect anyone to
0:08:15 > 0:08:18under the influence of narcotics.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21She was later released with only a caution
0:08:21 > 0:08:25because she we couldn't find any more drugs on her actual person.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29And if I'm honest, at the time,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31I did think that she got off too lightly.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33And what's your opinion now?
0:08:33 > 0:08:36My opinion now is that it's a good thing she didn't get locked up,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39She's managed to clean up her act without going to prison.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42For the last four years, we have had no dealings with Rhiannon,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45which I think is testament to the commitment she has to staying clean.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48And also, I'd like to add that Mr Cuthbert, her partner,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52has been police checked, and he has no convictions.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Thank you, Sergeant, Hollins. You've been very helpful.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Ms Fairweather?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Right, well,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03I've listened to what everyone has had to say about Rhiannon,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05and of course I have formed my own opinion
0:09:05 > 0:09:08of her character from my dealings with her.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I think it's commendable that she's done
0:09:11 > 0:09:14so much to improve herself and her quality of life.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17But unfortunately, this case isn't about Rhiannon.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19We're all here today to decide
0:09:19 > 0:09:21what's best for her baby once he's born.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25And I strongly believe that a mother
0:09:25 > 0:09:28who has inflicted a high level of neglect on her baby
0:09:28 > 0:09:31cannot be allowed to put another child at risk of serious harm.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35BABY CRIES
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Statistics show that there's a high probability of recidivism
0:09:46 > 0:09:49with child abuse cases, where the second, third, even fourth child
0:09:49 > 0:09:51suffer the same fate as the first,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54despite legal and social intervention.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57This is true of all types of child abuse, but it's important to note
0:09:57 > 0:10:01that neglect is the most common recidivism type.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Basically, history is often the best indicator of future behaviour.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- That is blatantly unfair.- Dr Reid...
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Are you suggesting there's no such thing as rehabilitation?
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Dr Reid. You were given your chance to speak without interruption.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Kindly extend the same courtesy to Ms Fairweather.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18I'm sorry.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19Please continue.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24OK, look, in my job I deal with literally hundreds of cases
0:10:24 > 0:10:28just like this one and each and every one is heartbreaking,
0:10:28 > 0:10:29for everyone involved.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33It's always tragic for a family to have to be broken apart,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35and I believe it's our responsibility
0:10:35 > 0:10:37to do everything we can to avoid it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39But in the end, the choice boils down to one thing -
0:10:39 > 0:10:41the welfare of the child.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43It trumps everything else.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45And in my professional opinion,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48there are grave concerns for the wellbeing of this baby.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Donna Sweeney.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I'd like to hear your assessment,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55given your prolonged dealings with Rhiannon in the past.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56Thank you. Um...
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I was assigned to Rhiannon's case in 2011. My experience...
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- I'm sorry!- Oh, here we go. - Are you OK?
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Can we take a ten-minute break?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Yeah, course. Let's take a short break.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- Come on. My apologies.- It's OK.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17SHE BREATHES HEAVILY
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Rhiannon?
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- Rhiannon, are you all right? - I'm fine.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24You're not in any pain?
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Your waters haven't broken, have they?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28No, no.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Look, please come out.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34It really isn't good for you or the baby to be this upset.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38I can't breathe.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Yes, you can.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Look, I know that it's difficult
0:11:45 > 0:11:47having to listen to things about your past
0:11:47 > 0:11:49that you'd rather forget.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53But you've worked so hard, you've made massive changes in your life.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56I mean, the results speak for themselves.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Yeah, but what if that doesn't matter?
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Of course it matters. You're addiction-free.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04You're in a stable, loving relationship.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08They're going to have to take notice of those things.
0:12:08 > 0:12:09That social worker hates me.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13I don't think that's true.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Come on, remember what you said.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Everyone in that room, they just want what's best
0:12:18 > 0:12:20for that new life inside you.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24You just have to show them you want the same thing.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Yeah, yeah, I can do that.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31I'll fight for this baby, no matter what's said about me.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Good. Good. Come on, let's go back in.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36Yeah, I just...
0:12:36 > 0:12:38I need a pee.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Rhiannon was given chance after chance to retain her child.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50She was offered drug rehabilitation placements. She failed to attend.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52I tried to give advice and support
0:12:52 > 0:12:54so she would clean up her squalid living conditions.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56But she wasn't interested.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Eventually she refused to cooperate with me at all.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00How so?
0:13:00 > 0:13:03She became increasingly hostile towards me in the weeks
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and months before her child was taken into care.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Things came to a head when she denied all access for me
0:13:08 > 0:13:09to check up on the baby.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11BANGING ON DOOR
0:13:11 > 0:13:13BABY CRIES INSIDE
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Rhiannon.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Rhiannon!
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- What do you want? - You know why I'm here.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I'm concerned about your child and I would like to see her.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23You're not coming in.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Rhiannon, you're in no fit state to look after her.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27What's that supposed to mean?
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- You've taken something. I can see it.- No, I haven't!
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I'm fed up of you coming round here sticking your nose in.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34She's my baby and I'll do what I want.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Rhiannon, please, she's crying. Just let me get to her.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40You come here again an' I will swing for you, you skanky cow.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46And that was the day I called the police in to investigate.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49I was afraid for the child's safety and for good reason.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51This baby was highly distressed.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56She was undernourished, her nappy clearly hadn't been changed in days.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01Rhiannon displayed no remorse or concern for her own baby.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Quite frankly, her only feelings seemed to be for herself.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07But I was an addict. That's not who I am any more.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08It's not who I am.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Please forgive me for asking, but are those tears for that baby girl?
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- Or are you still crying for yourself?- That is unacceptable.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- That was a personal attack. - You're right. Ms Sweeney, look,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I appreciate we are dealing with highly emotive issues here,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- but I must ask you to stick to the facts.- I'm sorry.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28But Rhiannon's inability to empathize with the pain
0:14:28 > 0:14:32and suffering of her own baby girl, well, it can't go overlooked.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I strongly believe that the risk
0:14:35 > 0:14:39to this next child is totally unacceptable.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Thank you, Ms Sweeney.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Perhaps now is a good time to take a short break.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Shall we recommence at 10:30?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- I'm going to go and get some air. - Paul.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56I hope you're proud of yourselves.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- Excuse me?- Rhiannon was practically a child
0:14:58 > 0:15:00when all of this happened to her.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04You're condemning her for her past and yet you're denying her a future.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Emma, that's ridiculous. We're not here to punish Rhiannon.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09We've got the baby's best interests at heart.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- And I don't?- Let's keep things civilised, shall we?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Try telling them that!
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Emma. Wait.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18What's going on?
0:15:18 > 0:15:20They are trying to take her child away.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23And I'm not allowed to be angry about that?
0:15:23 > 0:15:25I understand you care about this girl, so do I.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28But aren't you letting this get a bit too close to your heart,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30which is not like you. Are you all right?
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Don't worry, I just ponced one off someone.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45I'd have one too if I could.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Better not give 'em any more ammunition, eh?
0:15:52 > 0:15:55We have talked about what I did.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- I've never hidden anything from you. - I know.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02It's just difficult listening to all the details and stuff.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07I always sort of put that baby out of my mind.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11But she's the same as the one you're carrying now.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15That's our kid's big sister, Rhee.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Maybe they're right. Maybe I don't deserve a second chance.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I won't blame you if you wanted to walk away.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37I'm sorry. Oh, I don't know.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41It's just something about this case, it's got under my skin.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Why?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Maybe because I see myself in Rhiannon.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51I wasn't exactly a great mother once.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Emma, that was a long time ago.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57I know. But if I had had another child...
0:16:57 > 0:17:01and if someone had tried to take it away from me
0:17:01 > 0:17:02before I'd had the chance...
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Whatever your feelings are, for whatever reason,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11it's probably best that you keep them out of this.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Otherwise you run the risk of making it worse for Rhiannon.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Yeah.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Yeah, you're right.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Why would you even think I'd leave you?
0:17:23 > 0:17:25I know you better than anybody in there,
0:17:25 > 0:17:26and I know you're a good person.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- No, I'm not.- Yes, you are.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33I see it every day. You make me smile every day.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37I love you, Rhiannon.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Just as much as I know you're going to love our little boy.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46And even if they take him away from us...
0:17:48 > 0:17:51..they'll never be able to take me away from you.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Now blow your nose.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57You can't go back in there with snot on your face.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Rhiannon.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I know a lot of stuff has been said about me today.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21A lot of stuff that's ugly and sad
0:18:21 > 0:18:25and hard to even think about.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27But I do think about it. All the time.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35I know what I did to my little girl can never be changed.
0:18:37 > 0:18:43And I can never tell her how sorry I am for letting her down.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47But I did love her. I just...
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I couldn't feel it and I couldn't show it.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56It's like that love was locked away somewhere, from both of us.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00And...all I could think about was my next fix.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04I can't tell you much about that time
0:19:04 > 0:19:07because it's like I wasn't really there.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11And it wasn't until I'd lost my daughter,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13until I'd lost everything,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15that I realised what I'd become.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21And like all of you, I was disgusted.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26That is why I fought to come off the drugs, and stay off them.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28I learned how to take pride in myself again.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31In how I look, where I live.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Who I'm with.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Meeting Paul and having him believe in me
0:19:38 > 0:19:40has made all the difference in the world.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45I know with him by my side, I can do things right this time.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50I'm already a mother to this baby.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57I bonded with him the second I saw that little squiggle on the monitor.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59SHE SOBS
0:20:01 > 0:20:04It's more than I can bear.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Please don't take my baby away from me.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Thank you.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15I'm sorry. Can I say something?
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Please.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I'm not very good with words
0:20:20 > 0:20:23so if I go on a bit, I'm sorry.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29But I just want you all to see what I see in Rhiannon.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34She's the best thing that's ever happened to me.
0:20:36 > 0:20:42Just now she said how much it means to her that I believe in her.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45How much it's changed her.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Well, that works both ways.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53She makes me believe that I can do anything.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56Like be a dad.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03I just want you all to remember that this is my kid too.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I want the chance to be a dad, and it's not right that you
0:21:06 > 0:21:10should punish me, and my son, for something we had nothing to do with.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Look, I wouldn't be sat here now
0:21:14 > 0:21:18if I didn't think Rhiannon could look after our little boy.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I'm here because...
0:21:22 > 0:21:24..I know she'll be a natural at it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Hey. What do you think of these?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Gorgeous.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Are you going to decide sometime today?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35What do you think, Froggy?
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Should Mummy get the frumpy pink one or the frumpy green one?
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Some tempting decisions...
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Too late.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46BABY CRIES
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Hello, little one. Hi.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56She's beautiful.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Hello.- Hello.
0:22:03 > 0:22:09I can't promise that things are always going to be perfect.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10Nobody can.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15But what I can promise is that when times get tough...
0:22:16 > 0:22:19..and Rhiannon needs my help,
0:22:19 > 0:22:20I'll be there.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Please, all I'm asking is that you give us
0:22:26 > 0:22:28the chance to be a proper family.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38I'd, um, I'd like to add one more thing, if I may?
0:22:38 > 0:22:39Please.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46They say that good people do bad things.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48And bad people do good things.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54The truth is that we all make choices
0:22:54 > 0:22:58every moment of our lives, and those choices add up to who we are.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04And we are all capable of making better choices as we go along.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I thoroughly dislike this idea
0:23:10 > 0:23:14that history is the best indication of future behaviour.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Why?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Because it denies the possibility of change.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Yes, it was Rhiannon's choice to take drugs.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32But it was also her choice to stop.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37If she has the determination
0:23:37 > 0:23:41and the courage to get clean...
0:23:43 > 0:23:46..then the possibility for change for her
0:23:46 > 0:23:49is vast and we cannot ignore that.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59If everyone has said all they wish to say...
0:24:00 > 0:24:03..I'd like to adjourn to give us a moment
0:24:03 > 0:24:06to decide an appropriate line of action for the child.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Game of charades, anyone?
0:24:23 > 0:24:24How long's it been?
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Can't be more than 20 minutes.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28That's bad, isn't it? I know it is.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31No, there's a lot to consider.
0:24:33 > 0:24:34Here we go.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Would you all like to come back in?
0:24:37 > 0:24:38Right, come on.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43I'd just like to thank you all for your heartfelt input.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45On a personal note,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48this has been an extremely difficult decision for me to make.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53But ultimately, I have been impressed by Rhiannon's clear
0:24:53 > 0:24:57willingness to correct the mistakes from her past,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00and moved by all those who have put their faith in her ability to do so.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05I will pass all this testimony on to the family court judge
0:25:05 > 0:25:09with a recommendation that they implement a child protection plan
0:25:09 > 0:25:13offering support to the parents while they care for the child.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Everyone who agrees, please say so now.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- Agreed.- Agreed.- Agreed. - Agreed!- Definitely, yes.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- I'm sorry but no, I disagree. - Likewise. I strongly disagree.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30Ideally I'd like to reach a consensus, but there is a clear
0:25:30 > 0:25:33leaning in favour of the plan of action I've put forward.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36My recommendation stands.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Thank you so much.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Thank you. I promise I won't let you down.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50I still can't believe it.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53We couldn't have done it without you.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- All we did was tell the truth. - I reckon a celebration's in order.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59I'll have to give that a miss, I'm afraid.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- Alcohol-free of course. - Speak for yourself.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Thanks anyway.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Rhiannon,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I want you to know I have nothing against you personally,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12but this was the wrong decision.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- What do you think you're doing? - My job.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Which is why I intend to go to the family court tomorrow
0:26:19 > 0:26:21and ask for an order for the baby to be removed.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23What?
0:26:25 > 0:26:27They can't change their minds, can they?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Um...
0:26:35 > 0:26:38They said that we could look after him. Everybody agreed.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41So why are these social workers trying to ruin everything?
0:26:41 > 0:26:42I don't know.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Are you a nurse? You're spending your wages here?
0:26:46 > 0:26:47That's NHS money, public money
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and you're giving it to these sadistic torturers.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52When you first mentioned fostering,
0:26:52 > 0:26:56I thought you'd gone a bit mad but no, your instincts were spot on.