Social Services Solicitors

When faced with the complexities of social services involvement, having expert legal assistance is crucial to protect your family’s best interests. At National Legal Service we pride ourselves on offering knowledgeable and compassionate support to families navigating social services cases. Our experienced social services solicitors are committed to safeguarding your rights and ensuring the well-being of your children throughout the procession through a range of family law issues, whether you’re dealing with domestic abuse, divorce, family finances or child custody issues and access issues (known as child arrangement disputes).

Social services play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable individuals. They intervene when there are concerns about a child’s well-being, aiming to provide support, resources, and interventions to protect the child. Social services work alongside families to address issues such as neglect, abuse, or other circumstances that may impact a child’s safety.

Social services typically get involved in cases where there are allegations of abuse or neglect, concerns about a child’s living conditions, or issues related to the parent’s ability to care for their children. Other common scenarios include substance abuse within the family, domestic violence, or situations where a child’s behaviour indicates underlying problems that need addressing.

A Section 47 enquiry is initiated by social services when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. The purpose of this enquiry is to determine whether any action should be taken to safeguard the child’s welfare. It involves a thorough investigation, including interviews with the child, parents, and other relevant individuals, as well as an assessment of the child’s living conditions and overall well-being.

A pre-proceedings letter is a formal notification from social services indicating that they have serious concerns about a child’s welfare and are considering initiating court proceedings. This letter invites parents or guardians to attend a pre-proceedings meeting to discuss the concerns and explore ways to address them without going to court. It is crucial to seek legal advice immediately upon receiving this letter to ensure you understand your rights and can effectively respond to the concerns raised.

Social services produce detailed reports that outline their findings and recommendations based on their assessments and investigations. These reports are crucial in the decision-making process during care proceedings. They typically include information about the child’s home environment, the parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, and any concerns about the child’s safety and well-being. It is essential for parents to review these reports with their solicitor to prepare an appropriate response.

A pre-proceedings meeting is an opportunity for parents and social services to discuss the concerns outlined in the pre-proceedings letter and attempt to resolve the issues without going to court. During the meeting, social services will present their findings and propose a plan of action to address the concerns. Parents should attend this meeting with their solicitor, who can provide guidance, represent their interests, and help negotiate an agreement. Preparation for this meeting includes reviewing all relevant documents, understanding the concerns raised, and being ready to discuss potential solutions.

Our care solicitors are skilled advocates who will represent you in court, presenting your case with clarity and conviction. You will therefore have continuity of representation throughout your case. We will defend your rights and robustly argue on your behalf to achieve the best outcome.

After a court order is issued, we will continue to provide advice and assistance to ensure that you understand the order, and we will help you with any potential applications that you may wish to make, such as opposing adoption, discharging a care order or seeking an order for contact.

For the vast majority of cases, there is guaranteed free legal aid (non-means/merits). For example, if the Local Authority has issued care proceedings or commenced PLO Proceedings, we can represent you immediately, with the costs being covered by legal aid.

Our team of care solicitors is highly experienced in handling complex family/children law cases. We have a proven track record of successfully representing clients and enjoy an excellent reputation, with many solicitors being on either the Family Law or Children Law Panels

For more information or to apply for Legal Aid, please contact us today. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of care proceedings with expert legal support and guidance.