Social Services Involvement and Care Proceedings
If social services and the local authority believe your child’s welfare is at risk or they are not being properly looked after they might consider starting an initial investigation or the Public Law Outline (PLO) process which may lead to them taking the case to court.
The threat of having your child taken away from you can be a traumatic and distressing experience. If social services get involved in the welfare of your child, they will usually send a ‘letter before proceedings’ which explains the reasons why the local authority is thinking about asking the court to take your child into care. Included in the letter will be details of a PLO meeting, which you will need to attend, otherwise social services and the courts will make decisions on your behalf. In advance of the meeting you will also be sent the reports that social services will discuss with you during the session.
At Rotheras we understand the fear and anxiety that comes with finding out social services are considering taking your child away from you. We would advise contacting a child care solicitor as soon as you receive a ‘letter before proceedings’ as they will be able to provide reassurance by explaining the process involved and attend the pre-proceedings meeting with you.
Why use Rotheras for Social Services Involvement and Care Proceedings?
We can guide you through the process including going over the letter before proceedings.
We can attend the PLO meeting with you to offer guidance and support and help you work out an agreement to stop your case from going to court.
We can advise you on your options including applying to the court to stop social services from gaining a Care Order, and Supervision Orders or Family Assistance Orders.
We can help with section 17 provisions for children in need.
We can advise you on Legal Aid if you are a parent or have parental responsibility.
We can assist you in situations where your case has gone straight to court.
We can also advise grandparents, other family members, or foster carers who are involved in care proceedings, through offering to care for the child in the short-term or long-term, by supervising contact or having contact with the child in their own right.
We can help you with:
- Care proceedings
- Child arrangements
- Child protection matters
- Guardianship/ Special Guardianship Orders
- Adoption
- Supervision Orders
- Emergency Protection Orders
- Police Protection Orders
Send us a message
“We handle clients with sensitivity and understanding throughout”
Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner
Posted 27 January 2020
This was my first experience using a solicitor, something I felt quite daunted about. Rothera Sharp (Greg and Petra) put me at ease and were very helpful.
Mollie Fish
Posted 27 January 2020
Last year I experienced a car accident, as a front seat passenger. I put forward a personal injury claim with Rothera Sharp. From start to finish, my claim has been dealt with efficiently and professionally, and I have always felt my best interests were considered. All communications were made via letter or email to inform me of all further updates. My claim has now come to an end and I am very happy with the overall outcome. I would recommend Rothera Sharp for their service.
Samya Green
Posted 4 February 2020
We cannot recommend Chris Powell of Rothera Sharp more highly. Mr Powell demonstrated the upmost professionalism with a high level of knowledge of the area for which he was representing us. Anyone needing representation/advice regarding the area of haulage will find that Chris Powell and Rothera Sharp are the best choice.
Karen Walker
Posted 4 February 2020
Claim dealt with efficiently and to a satisfactory conclusion. Wayne Vickers visited me at home initially and explained everything thoroughly. Professional service throughout. Recommended
Clare Stevens
Ann-Marie Bowman
a.bowman@rotheras.co.uk
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of Nottingham based law firm Rotheras. Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children matters.
Sally Hartland
s.hartland@rotheras.co.uk
Sally Hartland is a Family, Matrimonial and Child Law specialist based at our offices in The Lace Market. Sally specialises and regularly represents both parents and grandparents in care proceedings.
Ruth Tyas
r.tyas@rotheras.co.uk
Ruth specialises in all aspects of family law and since 2010 she has been an accredited specialist in private law children matters and in domestic abuse where urgent protective remedies are required.
Rebecca Lister
r.lister@rotheras.co.uk
Rebecca Lister is a Solicitor within our Family Department and specialises in children and child care proceedings, regularly representing parents during care proceedings.
Chris Bradshaw
c.bradshaw@rotheras.co.uk
Chris specialises in children matters and provides support to Ann-Marie Bowman.
Sue Dutton
s.dutton@rotheras.co.uk
Sue Dutton is a Legal Executive in the Family and Childcare department at Rotheras and is based at our Long Eaton office.
Beccy Rodham
b.rodham@rotheras.co.uk
Beccy Rodham is a Paralegal in Rotheras Family Law department and is based at our Lace Market office.
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