Head of Family and Childcare
Charlotte (not her real name) contacted our Care Proceedings Solicitors for help when she was told that Social Services were starting court proceedings because of their concerns about her children.
Charlotte had 3 children aged 3, 5, and 7.
Charlotte has been struggling with her mental health for some time and recently things had gone downhill at home. She also started experiencing controlling behaviour and violence from her partner. She felt like she had no one to turn to.
Social Services, who has already been involved with the children, were worried that the they were being exposed to the violent arguments between Charlotte and her partner. They were also concerned that the children were being left on their own for long periods of time and their attendance at school decline. They felt it was clear that the children’s need were not being prioritised.
Social Services felt the intervention provided to date was not working and therefore issued Care Proceedings.Dear Jan,
My client received several text messages from Grace yesterday, following the social workers visit.
I understand the social worker allegedly told Grace that a return to either parents care was no longer an option. Grace was told that the only option would be for the girls to move to live with their grandparents’ long term. The father reassured Grace that final decisions have not yet been made, which seemed to settle her.
We do not want to jump to conclusion and therefore it would be helpful if you clarified what was discussed yesterday. They indicated that at the first Court hearing they were going to ask the Judge to make an interim Care Order, to place her children in foster care.
We're rated‘Excellent’A member of our Care Proceedings team met with Charlotte before the first Court hearing. She admitted that she was struggling to care for her children, and that she needed help. But she was really worried about her children going into foster care, even temporarily.
After talking to Charlotte, our team identified a close relative who was happy to put herself forward as a temporary carer for the children. We immediately contacted Social Services to make sure that they considered Charlotte’s relative as the first option.
The social worker agreed to meet with her relative and assess whether or not she could temporarily care for the children and the assessment was positive.
Social workers were concerned about the welfare of four children aged from 9 months to 6 years old, as neighbours had heard shouting in the home and bottles smashing. The police attended the family home and found the father being drunk and abusive.
When you’re asked to attend a Public Law Outline (PLO) meeting, also known as a pre-proceedings meeting, it can be stressful and upsetting. If you are invited to a PLO meeting it means that your Local Authority or social worker believes that the health, safety and wellbeing of your child is at serious risk. This meeting is your chance to try and work with the Local Authority and make changes to demonstrate that your child can be safe in your care.
A Section 20 Agreement is a voluntary agreement. This is when social workers invite a parent, or person with Parental Responsibility, to agree to a child being taken out of their care and into another placement like foster care for a short period of time.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk. (n.d.). Local authority investigations of child abuse. [online] Available at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Teulu/children-and-young-people/protecting-children/local-authority-involvement/local-authority-investigations-of-child-abuse/.
Research in Practice. (n.d.). Letter Before Proceedings. [online] Available at: https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/media/o2ros0kw/letter-before-proceedings.pdf.
As a Partner, Children Panel Solicitor and Department Head of our teams of Care Proceedings Solicitors in London, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds; Patricia represents parents, other carers and children in care proceedings and other matters related to disputes regarding children.
Patricia also offers advice and representation to those seeking protection from or responding to allegations of domestic abuse.
Patricia joined Simpson Millar in October 2018, and has over 20 years’ experience in Family Law, having qualified as a Solicitor in 2001.
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