‘Care proceedings’ are started when a Local authority (also known as social care or social services) is concerned about a child and their welfare to the extent that it feels the Court needs to intervene to make decisions about them.
At Taylor Emmet, we know how scary and overwhelming care proceedings can be for any family member. Our team of specialist Care Proceedings Solicitors and Lawyers will be by your side to offer you representation when Care Proceedings are started with respect to your child or family member, providing close personal support and guidance through the process.
Speak to our Expert Childcare Solicitors
Our priority is to resolve disputes as fairly and amicably as possible without lengthy legal battles.
Our expertise with Care Proceedings
At Taylor Emmet, we have been recognised as having one of the leading Family Law teams in the Sheffield City Region and beyond by The Legal 500.
Our team has vast experience dealing with local authorities and care proceedings, helping families secure the best outcome for their children. Having supported families with a wide range of circumstances, we are well placed to offer tailored advice, ensuring that your rights are protected and your children are safeguarded.
Members of our team are also on the Law Society’s Children Panel, enabling them to represent children and demonstrate our expertise in child law.
If your child or children are the subject of Care Proceedings, you are likely to be eligible for Legal Aid and will not have to pay for any advice or representation. Please contact one of our team members, who can confirm this and discuss what to do next.
How our Care Proceedings Solicitors and Lawyers can help you
Child Protection Conferences
If a local authority has investigated concerns about a child and believes there is a risk to their wellbeing, they may see fit to organise a Child Protection Conference. The purpose of a Child Protection Conference is for you and any professionals who are working with your family to share information with one another, decide how to keep your children safe and decide if a Child Protection Plan should be drawn up.
We understand that the prospect of attending a Child Protection Conference can be extremely daunting, particularly if you are unsure how the process will work and what actions could be taken.
If you have been invited to attend a Child Protection Conference, our expert team can work alongside you to ensure you are sufficiently prepared, meticulously reviewing your case and circumstances to tailor our advice accordingly.
While we are not permitted to speak on your behalf at a Child Protection Conference, we can also attend the meeting with you so that you have expert support on your side at all times.
Child Protection Plans
Depending on the outcome of a Child Protection Conference, your child may be subject to a Child Protection Plan. The details of a Child Protection Plan and what it might mean for your family can vary depending on your situation, so it is important that you understand what will be expected of you and what actions will be taken.
If you believe that a Child Protection Plan is not needed or is not suited to your family, we can advise you on your options, including your right to appeal the decision.
Care and Supervision orders
If a local authority believes that a child is at risk of significant and immediate harm, it can apply to the court for permission to make a Full Care Order or Supervision Order.
A Care Order allows a local authority to assume parental responsibility and take a child into care. At the same time, a Supervision Order grants a local authority the power to monitor a child’s needs while they live at home or elsewhere.
If your child is placed under a Care or Supervision Order, we appreciate the distress, worry and confusion this can cause. Our child Care Proceedings Solicitors and Lawyers will represent you in these situations and liaise with the local authority and social workers to defend your position and put your case forward in court, if necessary.
