Sometimes parents are not able to look after their children safely, whether through problems such as drugs or alcohol abuse, violent relationships, mental health issues or a combination of challenging circumstances.

 

Children’s services are there to support families through such difficult times. If they become concerned about harm to a child, they can put together a child in need plan, or in certain cases a child protection plan.

 

Children’s services are required to ensure that children are brought up within their families, wherever possible and care proceedings are a last resort. When Children’s Services are involved and apply in care proceedings for an order to remove a child from their family the Court will then deal with the very difficult question of where children should live and how they should maintain contact with their parents and other important family members.

 

It is for this reason that professional legal advice is so important. The Law Society has set up a Children’s Panel of Solicitors qualified to act for parents or children in these Court Proceedings. We have Children Panel solicitors who can help challenge that plan and work for children to stay with their families. Parents who are involved in care proceedings are automatically entitled to legal aid.

 

We can also help other relatives who are concerned about children who are in the care of Children’s Services. For example, Children’s Services ask relatives to apply for Special Guardianship Orders for such children as an alternative to care proceedings. We can assist in ensuring that the Special Guardianship Support Plan provides the help you need. You might qualify for legal aid or the local authority may pay your legal costs in making such an application

 

If you are concerned about a children matter do not hesitate to contact a member of our Family team to discuss how we might help

 

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