Public Law Children Act Proceedings

These are proceedings under the Children Act 1989 where social services are involved and we can offer advice to parents and children in such cases .

If a child has been hurt or injured or neglected in any way or it is thought that there is a likely risk of such harm, a referral may be made by a professional agency or an individual to social services.

The allegation will be investigated following which a meeting is usually called to look at the way forward.  The local authority can decide to work on a voluntary basis with the family, however sometimes the local authority will  decide that court proceedings are necessary.

Orders applied for include:

• Emergency Protection Order
• Supervision Order
• Care Order

Our specialist team offers expert advice and assistance throughout the court proceedings.  This will include attendance at meetings, advice to clients, examination of the evidence and representation at court.

Issues which commonly arise during the proceedings include :

• whether the child can remain living at home
• whether the child could be placed with a another family member/relative
• how much contact will there be
• will that contact have to be supervised
• what assessments need to be undertaken

All of our solicitors who specialise in this field of law are members of the Law Society's Children Panel.

Email our family team.