{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/767614.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":767614,"attributes":{"action":"Review Local Authority process in child removal cases involving medical disputes","background":"Review Local Authorities (LAs) powers to remove children due to medical disputes. We believe where appropriate, tertiary specialist referrals should be mandatory when parents and LAs disagree on complex care, and “medical neglect” charges should not be brought while expert opinion is sought.","additional_details":"We think a review of these powers should also include considering how parents can be better protected and supported, including child protection process and the provision of legal aid. We also think Local Authorities must be prevented from using medical disputes to accuse the parents of 'child neglect' until a Tertiary Specialist opinion is obtained. We call on the Government to protect parents' rights to act as Litigants in Person to ensure their voice is never silenced by the Local Authority.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":36,"closing_date":"2026-11-15","created_at":"2026-04-17T23:18:32.385Z","updated_at":"2026-06-04T17:15:00.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-05-15T08:08:47.130Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-18T08:01:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Miss Donna Marie Newell","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"MHCLG","name":"Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-housing-communities-local-government"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"Isle of Man","code":"IM","signature_count":4},{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":32}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Burnley","ons_code":"E14001142","mp":"Oliver Ryan MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Colchester","ons_code":"E14001176","mp":"Pam Cox MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Corby and East Northamptonshire","ons_code":"E14001179","mp":"Lee Barron MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Croydon West","ons_code":"E14001188","mp":"Sarah Jones MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Gorton and Denton","ons_code":"E14001251","mp":"Hannah Spencer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hackney South and Shoreditch","ons_code":"E14001260","mp":"Dame Meg Hillier MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hazel Grove","ons_code":"E14001277","mp":"Lisa Smart MP","signature_count":2},{"name":"Holborn and St Pancras","ons_code":"E14001290","mp":"Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Luton South and South Bedfordshire","ons_code":"E14001346","mp":"Rachel Hopkins MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland","ons_code":"E14001368","mp":"Luke Myer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Rochester and Strood","ons_code":"E14001447","mp":"Lauren Edwards MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Stockport","ons_code":"E14001517","mp":"Navendu Mishra MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Warrington North","ons_code":"E14001564","mp":"Charlotte Nichols MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Wythenshawe and Sale East","ons_code":"E14001602","mp":"Mike Kane MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"York Central","ons_code":"E14001604","mp":"Rachael Maskell MP","signature_count":4},{"name":"York Outer","ons_code":"E14001605","mp":"Mr Luke Charters MP","signature_count":7},{"name":"Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy","ons_code":"S14000071","mp":"Melanie Ward MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North East","ons_code":"A","signature_count":1},{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":7},{"name":"Yorkshire and The Humber","ons_code":"D","signature_count":11},{"name":"East Midlands","ons_code":"E","signature_count":1},{"name":"East of England","ons_code":"G","signature_count":2},{"name":"London","ons_code":"H","signature_count":3},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":1},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":1},{"name":"Scotland","ons_code":"M","signature_count":1}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}