Patricia Cannon
Head of Family and Childcare
For free initial legal advice on PLOs call our Care Proceedings Solicitors who will help you.
When social services are very concerned about the welfare of a child, the social worker may wish to consider taking the case to Court so they can make Court Orders to protect the child.
PLO stands for 'Public Law Outline', a set of rules which tells social workers how to deal with these sorts of cases.
The Public Law Outline rules say that when social workers are thinking that they may need to go to Court they should invite the parents to a meeting to discuss their concerns. This is also known as a "pre-proceedings" meeting.
This meeting considers what needs to be done to protect the child from harm, and how an agreement can be reached to ensure this. The aim here is to see if any problems can be fixed without needing to go to Court.
For initial legal advice, get in touch with our Care Proceedings Solicitors.
Simpson Millar5 starsVery lengthy case
I was assisted and supported by Saskia Coles. Saskia has assisted me in a very long and complicated family case for nearly two years and we have finally had a positive ending. She was very happy to an...
Ms Natalia Barnak
Simpson Millar5 starsHighly recommend for SEN representation
Mia at Simpson and Millar, has supported us as a family, from the initial EHCP - assessments and advice- through to the appeal process and on to a happy resolution. Our confidence came from Mia’s leg...
Annabelle
Simpson Millar5 starsGreat support
I'm from London and the solicitor I had was Tamara Baker, she was amazing. Tamara let me know every step of the way when there were any new updates, Anything I didn't understand was explained to me an...
Ms.J
Simpson Millar5 starsVery pleased
Sean Harrison, the solicitor who worked on my case was exceptionally adept and efficient in replying to my questions and queries, ensuring that there was a positive outcome. I would definitely recomm...
RB
Simpson Millar5 starsSaskia Coles at Simpson Millar was…
Saskia Coles at Simpson Millar was Amazing. Every bit professional kept me informed and updated throughout the whole process from beginning to end offering legal advice and guidance whilst in the proc...
Sarah Phillips
Simpson Millar5 starsFamily Law Matter
The experience received by Simpson Miller and in particular our legal representative Tamara Baker was exceptional from start to finish. Her prompt communication and professionalism to provide the atte...
Chad
Simpson Millar5 starsReally easy to work with positive outcome achieved
Saskia was always there for the advice I needed .. I managed to come out of this with a really positive outcome
Kelly Marie
A PLO is different from other kinds of meeting with your social worker:
You should have received a 'letter before proceedings' inviting you to the meeting. The letter will set out exactly what the social workers are worried about, what they have done in the past to help you and what they would like you to do in the future.
A PLO meeting is usually a sign that, as far as the social workers are concerned, things have reached a very critical stage. This can often be the last chance a parent will have to work with the social workers before the case is taken to Court. Because of this, it really is important that you attend this meeting, even if you have had difficulties talking with social workers in the past.
We understand that now we are at the point of a PLO meeting, there is probably a long history of social work involvement. Relationships between parents and social workers can be very difficult and parents can be angry and upset. We advise you to put these understandable emotions aside when you go to the meeting; your Solicitor will give you every support in helping you to focus any issues of concern.
When a social worker feels that the risk of harm to the child is so great, or that the case is very urgent, then there may be no meeting. In this situation the case could go straight to Court for the social workers to ask for an Interim Care Order, an Interim Supervision Order, or perhaps an Emergency Protection Order.
This will only be done if your child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm. If you have been told that social services are to go to Court about your child, you should get legal advice immediately. If you are a parent (or person with Parental Responsibility) you will still be entitled to Legal Aid, regardless of your financial position.
The letter you receive inviting you to the meeting will tell you about your right to have a Solicitor present for the meeting. At the meeting, your Solicitor can help you to reach an agreement with social services to try to avoid the issue going to Court.
Because of the importance of these meetings, Legal Aid is provided for parents (and anyone else with Parental Responsibility for the child), regardless of your financial situation.
This means you don't have to worry about representing yourself - you will get your legal representation paid for at this meeting, and any further meetings by Legal Aid.
Fill in the form below to get in touch with one of our dedicated team members, or call our team today on: 0808 239 4184