Letters of Estrangement

AuthorityManx Care
Date received2026-02-12
OutcomeAll information sent
Outcome date2026-03-20
Case ID5303641

Summary

A request was made for the number of Letters of Estrangement issued by Manx Care's Children and Families Service over the last 10 years, broken down by year. The authority disclosed that 119 letters were issued between 2016 and 2026, providing a full annual breakdown.

Key Facts

  • Manx Care issued a total of 119 Letters of Estrangement from 1 January 2016 to March 2026.
  • The highest number of letters in a single year was 17, issued in 2016.
  • No Letters of Estrangement were issued in 2026 up to the date of the response.
  • The data covers the Children and Families Service specifically.
  • The request was received on 12 February 2026 and responded to on 20 March 2026.

Data Disclosed

  • 119
  • 17
  • 5
  • 13
  • 12
  • 16
  • 15
  • 6
  • 3
  • Nil
  • 1 January 2016
  • 20 March 2026
  • 12 February 2026
  • 5303641

Original Request

I would like to know how many Letters of Estrangement have been issued by Manx Care (Children and Families Service) in the last 10 years, if possible broken down by year so that I can see whether the number is increasing or decreasing.

Data Tables (1)

Year Number of letters issued
2016 17
2017 5
2018 13
2019 12
2020 16
2021 16
2022 15
2023 6
2024 3
2025 13
2026 to date Nil
Grand Total 119

Full Response Text


Manx Care Noble’s Hospital, Strang Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4R (01624) 650 000

Our ref: 5303641 20 March 2026

Dear **

We write further to your request, received 12 February 2026, which states:

"I would like to know how many Letters of Estrangement have been issued by Manx Care (Children and Families Service) in the last 10 years, if possible broken down by year so that I can see whether the number is increasing or decreasing."

Response

A total of 119 Letters of Estrangement were issued from the period 1 January 2016 to date. This is broken down by year as requested:-

Year Number of letters issued 2016 17 2017 5 2018 13 2019 12 2020 16 2021 16 2022 15 2023 6 2024 3 2025 13 2026 to date Nil Grand Total
119

Please quote the reference number 5303641 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are

dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely