Feel free to contact our friendly and approachable family lawyers for a confidential discussion.
Our experienced and successful team can represent you in applications involving Social Services (the Local Authority), such as:
Child Protection procedures, which are before a court application is issued, but the Local Authority has raised concerns in respect of your children. This includes Child In Need cases, and Public Law Outline (PLO) procedure cases when a Social Worker may have raised concerns and suggested that court proceedings are a risk of being started.
Care Order where the Local Authority seeks to remove a child(ren) from a parent, or to make legal decisions for a child(ren).
We are experienced in dealing with allegations of physical or sexual abuse, concerns regarding drugs or alcohol abuse, neglect, psychological and emotional harm, mental health struggles, domestic abuse, and behavioural issues etc. We can advise and support you through that process with the aim of retaining care, rehabilitating a child(ren) to a family, or supporting a child to be placed within a relative, seeking to avoid Foster Care placement or Adoption. We will always provide clear, realistic and honest advice, to help you.
Supervision Order, when the Local Authority is not seeking formal legal powers to make decisions for your child, but is seeking formal court authority to ‘Advise, assist, and befriend’ a family. This can include monitoring and advising on the care of children within a family. We can help families to obtain the right support, and to be listened to.
Adoption being applications by any person, including the Local Authority, and even a parent (in some cases), who are seeking to permanently care for a child, and claim them as their own.
Secure and Voluntary accommodation of Children, (including Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS)) when this is applied for to protect a child from themselves or others, and the Local Authority believe there is no alternate manageable safe placement.
Representation of Children by our accredited Child Law (Children Panel) Lawyer(s)
Public funding (Legal Aid) is available for parents and children (and some connected family of friends who seek to care for a child) in public law cases, regardless of your income, though there are some cases where that funding requires an assessment of the strength of your case, and a financial assessment (which we can provide)
Where Legal Aid is not available for your case, we can still assist you at privately paying rates that are affordable, clear and agreed in advance.
Law Society and/or Resolution Accredited Lawyers can oversee your case and we are able to provide skilful negotiation, and representation in court (advocacy), to ensure a consistent and professional service.
There are a number of different orders that can be applied for or opposed by VCW Law on your behalf. If you are not sure how we can help, please call us to talk it through.
Call 01642 615439
