How much do Care Proceedings cost?

Free legal aid is available to all parents facing Care Proceedings in court, regardless of their financial situation. This can be granted immediately and covers all legal fees and costs related to the entire court process.

Who is involved in Care Proceedings?

The main parties involved in Care Proceedings are: the Local Authority (usually represented by a social worker), the child's mother, the child's father (if he has parental responsibility), and the Child's Guardian (an independent professional appointed by Cafcass).

How long do Care Proceedings take?

Care Proceedings should be completed within 26 weeks (6 months) according to law. This timeframe can be extended with the court's permission, usually in 8-week increments, if it's necessary to deal with the case fairly.

What services does Garratts Solicitors offer for Care Proceedings?

Garratts Solicitors offers comprehensive legal advice and representation for Care Proceedings. Their dedicated team of child care lawyers can guide you through the legal process, explain everything in plain English, and work tirelessly to ensure the best outcome for you, your children, and extended family.

Care Proceedings Solicitors Manchester & Oldham

Q: What are Care Proceedings?

Care Proceedings are court proceedings initiated by a local authority's social services department when they are concerned that a child has suffered harm or is at risk of suffering significant harm. The purpose is to decide who will care for the child until they are 18 years old.

Care Proceedings Solicitors

When a Local Authority issues Care Proceedings, it is essential to seek expert legal advice and representation to navigate the complex legal process and achieve the best outcome for the child and their family. At Garratts, our team of expert care proceedings solicitors provides high-quality, specialist legal advice and representation, ensuring that your voice is heard throughout the proceedings. We also offer a range of funding options, including legal aid, to make our services accessible to everyone who needs them.

If you need assistance with Care Proceedings, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you through this difficult time and to ensure that your child's welfare and your family's wellbeing are protected. Call us on 0161 665 3502 or request a callback via our contact form.

Childcare Law - Areas of Expertise

At Garratts Solicitors, we understand that care proceedings can be a difficult and emotionally challenging experience for families. That's why our experienced care proceedings solicitors are here to provide you with the legal advice and support you need throughout the process.

Our team of experts have extensive knowledge in all aspects of care proceedings, including adoption cases, parental responsibility orders, special guardianship orders, residence orders and contact arrangements. We will work closely with you to ensure that your best interests are represented at every stage of the process.

The Public Law Outline (PLO)
Adoption Solicitors
Special Guardianship Orders
Supervision Orders
Residence Orders
Safeguarding Issues
Pre Proceedings
Care Orders
Secure Accommodation Orders
Wardship and Inherent Jurisdiction Orders
Police Protection Orders

What are Care Proceedings?

Care Proceedings in England and Wales are legal proceedings initiated by a local authority when they believe that a child may be suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. The purpose of these proceedings is to determine whether the child requires care or supervision and whether the local authority should take steps to protect the child.

The proceedings are usually initiated in the family court and involve a range of different parties, including the local authority, the child and their parents or carers, and any other relevant parties such as grandparents or other family members. The court will consider evidence from all parties, as well as from any experts or professionals involved in the child's care.

If the court decides that the child needs care or supervision, they may make a care order, which gives the local authority parental responsibility for the child. This means that the local authority has the power to make decisions about the child's care, including where they live and how they are educated. The local authority may also be required to provide support services to the child and their family.

Care Proceedings can be complex and emotionally charged, and it is important for anyone involved to seek specialist legal advice and support.

Care Proceedings Hearings

Care Proceedings Hearings are a crucial part of the legal process in England and Wales when it comes to safeguarding vulnerable children. These hearings take place in the Family Court and involve a range of parties, including the local authority, the child, and their parents or carers.

The purpose of the hearings is to determine whether a child is in need of care or supervision and whether the local authority should take steps to protect the child. During these hearings, the court will consider evidence from all parties, as well as from any experts or professionals involved in the child's care.

There are several different types of hearings involved in the Care Proceedings process, including:

Initial Case Management Hearing (ICMH)

This is the first hearing in the Care Proceedings process. The main purpose of this hearing is to set out the issues that need to be resolved and to ensure that the case is being managed appropriately. The parties will discuss any evidence that has been gathered so far, any assessments that need to be completed, and any steps that need to be taken to move the case forward. The court may also set a timetable for the proceedings and make directions for any further evidence or assessments that are needed.

Issues Resolution Hearing (IRH)

The Issues Resolution Hearing is an opportunity for the parties to try to reach an agreement on the issues in dispute. The court will review the evidence that has been gathered so far and identify any areas of agreement or disagreement between the parties.

Moreover, the court may also make recommendations for further evidence or assessments that need to be carried out. This hearing aims to help the parties settle on the issues in dispute, without the need for a full trial. If an agreement cannot be reached, the court will set a timetable for the final hearing.

Final Hearing

The Final Hearing is the last stage of the Care Proceedings process and is where the court will make a final decision on the case. The court will hear evidence from all parties, including any experts or professionals involved in the child's care. It will also consider all the evidence presented and make a decision based on what it believes to be the best interests of the child.

If the court decides that the child requires care or supervision, it may make a care order, which gives the local authority parental responsibility for the child. It may also make other orders, such as a supervision order, a special guardianship order or a placement order.

Care Order: gives the local authority parental responsibility for a child. The local authority has the power to make decisions about the child's care, including where they live and medical treatment. The local authority is also responsible for providing support services to the child and their family.
Supervision Order: requires the local authority to supervise the child's welfare and provide support services. The child remains in the care of their parents or carers, but the local authority has the power to require parents or carers to comply with certain conditions.
Special Guardianship Order: appoints a person (or persons) to be a child's special guardian. Gives special guardians parental responsibility for the child and the power to make decisions about the child's care, without the need to consult the local authority. Usually made when the child cannot live with their birth parents but can live with another family member or someone who has a significant connection with the child.
Placement Order: authorises the local authority to place a child for adoption. Gives local authority the power to place the child with prospective adopters without the birth parents' consent. Before making a Placement Order, the court must be satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child and that all other options have been considered.

Throughout the process, all parties should seek legal advice and representation from a specialist childcare law solicitor who can provide expert advice and support, helping to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved for the child and their family.

Availability of Free Legal Aid

Garratts Solicitors can provide legal advice and representation for parents involved in Care Proceedings and can assist with applications for Legal Aid where appropriate. Legal Aid is available regardless of financial situation and can be granted immediately.

Our childcare law solicitors have extensive experience and knowledge in Care Proceedings, which has led to the successful representation of clients. We provide a personal and professional service tailored to individual needs, ensuring the best outcome for you and your family.

Why work with Garratts at any stage of your child's care proceedings?

If you are involved in Care Proceedings concerning your child, it is essential to have expert legal representation and support. At Garratts, we understand the complexities and sensitivities of the Care Proceedings process and are dedicated to helping you through every stage of it. Our team of childcare law solicitors has extensive experience and knowledge in this area, which enables us to provide you with the highest quality of service. We are committed to ensuring that your child's welfare and your family's wellbeing are at the forefront of the proceedings.

Speak to our team on 0161 665 3502 or fill in our contact form.