CARE PROCEEDINGS & SOCIAL SERVICES
Are Social Care about to be involved with your family?Social Care, or the Local Authority as they are also known, has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area. Social Care have an obligation to make enquiries if they have reason to be concerned about the protection of a child. If, after having made enquiries, the Local Authority believes that a child may be at risk, a number of options are available to them.
01623 624505 | enquiries@bryanandarmstrong.co.uk
CHILD IN NEED
Initially Social Care will offer help and support. If this appears to be unsuccessful and concerns are ongoing they may make a decision to record your child/children as a Child In Need. If you want advice please contact us.
CHILD PROTECTION MEETINGS
The Local Authority may decide to arrange a meeting called an Initial Child Protection conference (ICPC). The parents, the Social Workers and any professional involved in the child’s life i.e. Health Visitor, School Nurse, Teacher, Health Professional, Police Officer, etc will be invited to a meeting to share information.
At the end of the ICPC a decision will be made as to whether the child’s name should be placed on the Child Protection Register. under one or more of the following categories:
If a decision is made to put a child’s name on the Child Protection Register a Child Protection Plan will be agreed and a date for a Child Protection Review Conference will be scheduled. Review meetings will continue to take place until the child’s name has been taken off the Child Protection Register.
Legal Help is available if you are financially eligible. To assess if you are financially eligible we will need to see up to date proof of your income and 3 months bank statements.
PUBLIC LAW OUTLINE
This is when Social Workers are concerned about the welfare of a child and they may be thinking about taking the case to Court so they can ask the Court to make Orders to protect the child. These are pre-proceeding meetings.
It is hoped that parents will attend any such meetings with a Solicitor. The Solicitor will be able to help the parents to negotiate an agreement with Social Services trying to avoid the need for Court. If PLO procedures are in place you, as a parent, will receive a formal letter from Social Care informing you of this setting out the concerns and asking you not to ignore it and to bring the letter to us as soon as possible.
We can assist you with any problems of this nature and if you receive any such letter or have any discussions of this nature with Social Care then you should let us know as soon as possible.
Legal Help is available to anyone undergoing this procedure.
VOLUNTARY ACCOMMODATION UNDER SECTION 20 OF THE CHILDREN ACT 1989
The Local Authority may decide that the child should be cared for by someone other than the parent(s). They are asking for you to agree to this contact us and we can advise you.
CARE OR SUPERVISION ORDER
If a Care Order is made in favour of the Local Authority they will acquire parental responsibility of the child.
The Local Authority will be responsible for looking after the child until the age of 18. If you receive paperwork from the court which says proceeding shave been issued contact us immediately.
If you care for a child who may become subject to court proceedings and you want advice please contact us.
Public funding is available to anyone who is a party to these proceedings.
SPECIAL GUARDIANSHIP ORDERS
A Special Guardianship Order can be made by the Court where it is intended that your child will be permanently placed outside of a parents care. Usually with a family member. It provides the carer with enhanced parental responsibility.
THE CARE PROCEEDINGS AND SOCIAL SERVICES TEAM
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