Social Services Involvement and Care Proceedings

When the Local Authority/Social Services are worried about your children they may make Child Protection enquires which include gathering information about your family and completing an assessment.

We understand how difficult this process can be for parents and can offer support and advice.

Pre Proceedings/PLO process

This process is where the Local Authority/Social Services set out their concerns and prepare an agreement to work in partnership with the family to avoid the need for Care Proceedings.

The process is supposed to last for a maximum of six months. During those six months, Social Services will have regular meetings with you and your solicitor to talk about your progress. Your solicitor can help to stand up for you and get you the right support.

At the end of the process, hopefully, the Local Authority will decide that they do not need to go to court. However, they may decide that they still have concerns and need to issue an application to the Court.

If you receive a letter before proceedings/PLO letter, please get in touch with us and one of our experienced solicitors will be able to offer the sensitivity and expertise you need.

Care Proceedings

If the Local Authority/Social Services believe that your child is at risk of harm they will have to issue an application to court for a Care, Supervision or other Order. It will be up to the court to decide whether to make an Order.

What is a Care Order?

A Care Order is an order made by the court that gives parental responsibility to the Local Authority. Their parental responsibility would override the parents’ so they can make decisions about the children. For example, they can decide where the children should live, including putting them into foster care. The Local Authority should still speak to the parents about any major decisions in the children’s lives and should listen to their views. However, they are able to make the final decision and they do not have to do what the parents want.

What is a Supervision Order?

A Supervision Order is an order made by the court that gives the Local Authority a duty to advise, assist and befriend a child and their family. This essentially means they should give you help and support in being a parent. This order does not give the Local Authority parental responsibility so the final decision is still up to the parents (or anyone else with parental responsibility).

During the Care Proceedings process, there will be various assessments and may also involve experts such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. A Guardian will also be appointed to represent the child’s interests.

Care Proceedings is a very stressful and complex time for parents and it is important that Parents and Children’s views are represented through a Solicitor. We have a team of Solicitors including members of the Law Society’s Children Panel with expertise to represent children and parents in Court proceedings. Although we are based in Gloucester and Stroud we can also represent families around the country.

Legal aid is available for those involved in the pre-proceedings process and during care proceedings.

For advice on care proceedings and adoption, please contact our local offices in Gloucester or Stroud today. If you have a quick question or would like to request a callback, you can also use our quick online enquiry form.