Care Proceedings
The information on this page
We provide thoughtful and sensitive advice and assistance to families and Children's Guardians throughout all levels of care proceedings.
It is important that you are represented from the earliest stages in the proceedings to ensure the right outcome for you and your family.
What are Care Proceedings?
If Social Services or the NSPCC have concerns about the emotional or physical welfare of a child they can initiate an investigation and/or legal proceedings at court in order to protect that child.
Stages of Care Proceedings
Social Services will normally start with an investigation which, if concerns are raised, may lead to a child protection conference or court proceedings. A child protection conference is a meeting of a group of professionals who review the concerns that have been raised and formulate a plan of action to improve the child's situation in the home. Parents should attend child protection conferences to make their voices heard.
We can advise you during the investigation and represent you at the conference.
Court Proceedings
If Social Services or the NSPCC have concerns that a child is at significant risk of harm then they can initiate court proceedings to protect the child.
EPO
An EPO is an Emergency Protection Order which can be brought to court within a few hours of concerns being raised that a child is at immediate risk of harm. If Social services obtain an EPO they automatically assume parental responsibility for the child. They therefore have the legal right to place the child in foster care.
If you are a parent and recieve notive that an application to court has been made for an EPO or that one has been granted inform us immediately and we can erpresent you at court on short notice.
Interim care order
an interim care order or ICO may be sought by Social Services or the NSPCC if the risk is significant but not so immediate as to require an EPO.
A parent would normally be given around 7 days notice of teh intetion to apply for an ICO.
An ICO gives Social Services Prental Responsibility over a child and does give them the legal right to place a child in foster care.
Some children can be subject to ICO's but remain at home while the court process is ongoing.
If the Court grant an ICO care proceedings have started and the case will be reviewed and progressed by the Court within a 40 week timetable.
IF YOU RECIEVE NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION TO THE COURT FOR AN ICO CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY AND WE CAN REPRESENT YOU. IF YOU HAVE CARED FOR THE CHILD OR WISH TO CARE FOR THE CHILD IN THE FUTURE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE REPRESENTED AT COURT.
Final Care Order
At the end of the 40 week timetable mentioned above a Court must make a decision about where a child is going to live in the future to ensure that child is protected from harm.
The Court can order that:
a) a child may return home
b) live with extended family
c) be fostered
d) be adopted
IT IS VITAL THAT YOU ARE REPRESENTED IN ORDER THAT THE RIGHT OUTOME IS ACHIEVED FOR YOUR FAMILY.
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