4 Theatre St, Norwich NR2 1QY
01603 214 220
Understanding Child Law:
Legal Advice and Support
Working closely with parents and family members, we will always go the extra mile to achieve the best possible outcome in each case.
When Children’s Services at the Local Authority become involved with your family, it can be a stressful and frightening time. Here at Hatch Brenner Solicitors we understand the challenge that parents face and specialise in working with families who have disputes with Children’s Services.
If you are involved in a dispute regarding your children, you will want the support of experts in handling Child Law cases. We have over 50 years’ combined experience and two of our lawyers, Fiona Beesley and Carly Sullivan, are Accredited Children Law Solicitors and are able to represent children within court proceedings.
How our Experienced Child Lawyers can help you
We understand how your life may be impacted by the involvement of Children’s Services at your Local Authority and can support you through a variety of issues relating to children.
Supporting you during your Child Care Proceedings.
If you have been contacted by a social worker about your child you may be worried, confused and upset. If you are not sure what to do next, our team is here to help you with any questions.
Over 50 years’ combined experience equips our Child Care specialists with the expertise to achieve the best possible outcome for you. You can rely on our sympathetic and friendly team to handle your case with professionalism and support you through this difficult time.
Telephone: 01603 214 220
Pre-Proceedings / PLO Meetings
Children’s Services will always want to work with parents but if concerns become too serious this is often the final step to prevent the Local Authority issuing Care Proceedings.
If the Local Authority decides to hold formal meetings to discuss its concerns and how they it intends to work with you, then you will qualify for free representation from a solicitor. We will support you to try to achieve a successful outcome and avoid court proceedings.
If the risks are considered too great, or the concerns are not addressed, Children’s Services are likely to issue Care Proceedings. If this should happen, please contact us as a matter of urgency.
Funding your care proceedings
If you are the parent, grandparent or another person with parental responsibility for the children concerned, regardless of your financial situation, you will automatically be eligible for free funding from the Legal Aid Agency. This will cover us advising you throughout the proceedings and representation by one of our experienced advocates at Court to ensure that your voice is heard.
Care Proceedings
The Local Authority has a duty to protect children who they it considers to have suffered, or are at risk of suffering, significant harm. This may be because of concerns relating to neglect, emotional harm, physical abuse, or sexual abuse. If the concerns are too great, Children’s Services will make an Application to Court and start Care Proceedings.
If you have been told by Children’s Services that it intends to make an Application to Court, or you have been served with papers telling you about Proceedings and an imminent Hearing, please get in touch. We are here to help.
What is a Care Order?
A Care Order gives the Local Authority parental responsibility for a child and enables them to place a child in local authority care and make decisions for the child. During Care Proceedings an Interim Care Order may be made. This is not a final order and is a temporary order while ongoing assessments are completed and long-term decisions are made for a child.
When children are faced with immediate danger, emergency remedies including Police Protection and Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs) may be required to safeguard their welfare until more permanent decisions for their care can be made.
Child Law FAQs
Can social services take my child away?
Children’s Services can apply to the courts to have your child removed if they have concerns about their welfare.
It is very important to work with your social worker to understand why they have these concerns.
We can work with you to help understand these concerns and prevent the court from making an order to remove your child.
My child’s social worker wants to take me to court, what can I do?
Unless there is an emergency affecting your child’s safety, Children’s Services will want to work with you to prevent taking the case to court straightaway.
We can offer advice about this process. If concerns increase and there is a pre-proceedings meeting (PLO) organised we are able to offer you Legal Aid to assist further.
My older children are in care and I’m pregnant, will my baby go into care?
Every case is different and social workers must consider each case on its merits. However, if you have previously had children removed from your care, social workers will be concerned and will want to assess your ability to care for your unborn child.
They may determine that the child needs to be removed or they may decide it is safe for you to take the baby home. There are lots of options available.
If you would like further information about this process, please contact us on 01603 214 220.
Can I get Legal Aid?
We are able to offer you Legal Aid when there are serious concerns about the welfare of your children. Please get in touch to discuss this more.
Who is CAFCASS and how are they involved in my case?
CAFCASS stands for Children and Family Court Advisory Support Services. CAFCASS looks after the interests of children involved in family court proceedings.
The main types of cases in which the court asks CAFCASS to help are where parents and carers are separating or divorcing and have not reached an agreement about arrangements for the children.
When an application is first made to court, CAFCASS may contact you to carry out safeguarding checks.
If the case becomes more complicated, a CAFCASS officer may be appointed to complete a report on you and your family before making a recommendation to the court as to what orders are appropriate.
What is the role of the Children’s Guardian?
In care proceedings, the court will usually appoint a guardian for the child concerned. The guardian will be an independent professional from CAFCASS, who will advise the court on the child’s best interests. The guardian is crucial in helping the court to understand the child’s wishes and to be their voice in proceedings.
Telephone: 01603 214 220
Quick Links
How we
can help you
Client care is very important to use, as is providing a sympathetic and understanding approach at this difficult time.
Our friendly and supportive team can provide Legal Aid funding to represent parents and people with parental responsibility who are automatically eligible for funding and representation in Care Proceedings
To find out more about our expertise, please call:
01603 214 220Contact one of the team:
Carly Sullivan
Senior Associate
Child Law
Fiona Beesley
Solicitor
Child Law
Hayley Mortlock
Solicitor
Child Law
Jo Mayes
Chartered Legal Executive
Child Law
Delivering thought-leading expertise and understanding from our expert solicitors and staff.
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Safeguarding Vulnerable Children: Legal Support & Advice
It can often be difficult to navigate a fine line of balancing the protection of a child against their right to a normal family life. However, the answer cannot be just to have the toughest restrictions in every single case and for children to be overly protected from every perceived risk.
