The Public Law Outline (PLO) provides a structured framework for managing Care Proceedings in England and Wales, with the aim of resolving disputes concerning the welfare of children in a timely and efficient manner.
At Garratts Solicitors, we have a team of experienced childcare law solicitors who can provide expert legal advice and representation to help families navigate the Care Proceedings process. We are committed to ensuring that your child's welfare and your family's wellbeing are protected throughout the proceedings.
If you need assistance with Public Law Outline proceedings, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team on 0161 665 3502 or fill in our contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your case.
What is the Public Law Outline (PLO)?
The PLO is a framework for the management of Care Proceedings introduced to encourage local authorities and courts to work together with parents to resolve disputes concerning the welfare of children at an early stage.
The aim of the PLO is to ensure that cases are dealt with quickly, efficiently, and with the minimum amount of delay so that children are not left in limbo for prolonged periods of time.
Under the PLO, the court and the local authority must work together to identify the key issues in the case, establish a timetable for the proceedings, and agree on the evidence that needs to be gathered. The PLO sets out a number of stages that must be followed, including the Initial Case Management Hearing (CMH), the Issues Resolution Hearing (IRH), and the Final Hearing.
The PLO also requires that parents have a clear understanding of the proceedings and the reasons for the local authority's concerns about the child's welfare. The PLO encourages parents to engage with the local authority and to work towards a solution that is in the best interests of the child.
What are the Pre-Proceedings Stages of the PLO?
The Pre-Proceedings Stages of the Public Law Outline (PLO) are designed to encourage early intervention and prevent the need for Care Proceedings wherever possible. The Pre-Proceedings Stages provide an opportunity for parents and the local authority to work together to address concerns about a child's welfare without the need for court intervention.
The Pre-Proceedings Stages of the PLO include the following:
- Referral: The local authority receives information or concerns about a child's welfare and decides whether to make a referral to Children's Services.
- Initial Assessment: The local authority conducts an initial assessment to determine whether there are any immediate risks to the child's welfare and whether further assessment is needed.
- Child Protection Conference – sometimes the Local Authority will hold a Child Protection Conference – this is a meeting chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) and involves all professional involved with the family. They may implement a Child Protection Plan if they believe that work needs to be done with the family and then hold a further meeting to review the situation. If the local authority are content that circumstances have improved then this will be the end of the process. If, however, the concerns remain or escalate then they will invite the parents/carers to a PLO meeting and send them a letter before proceedings.
Parents are not legally represented at child protection conferences but if you are invited to attend one and are worried we are happy to discuss this with you.
- Letter before Proceedings: This letter will set out the concerns in detail and the steps that the parents can take to address those concerns. The letter will also outline the potential consequences if progress is not made, which could lead to the initiation of Care Proceedings. In such cases, the local authority can pursue a care or supervision order from the court if adequate improvement is not observed. This can impact the child's care arrangements and custody. The letter will invite the parents to a PLO meeting
- PLO Meeting: This is a meeting arranged by the Social Worker which parents MUST attend WITH A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE. The social worker will also be legally represented. It is the last opportunity to address the concerns to avoid going to court. Non means/merits legal aid is available which means you do not have to pay to be represented. At that meeting, all the concerns will be discussed and an action plan formed to address them. Parents will be legally represented and a full minute taken which may be used in court proceedings. It is essential that the parents are represented for fairness to ensure that they understand the process and the gravity of their concerns.
The Pre-Proceedings Stages are an important part of the PLO, as they provide an opportunity for parents to work with the local authority to address concerns about a child's welfare before court intervention becomes necessary.
If Care Proceedings are initiated, the Pre-Proceedings Stages will have established a foundation for the case, and the local authority will be able to demonstrate that they have made efforts to resolve the situation without the need for court action.
What happens during a Public Law Outline meeting?
During a Public Outline meeting, the local authority and parents or other relevant parties involved in the Care Proceedings will discuss the concerns about the child's welfare and try to agree on a plan to address those concerns. The aim of the meeting is to avoid the need for court intervention wherever possible and to encourage a collaborative approach to resolving the issues.
The PLO meeting is usually chaired by a social work team manager, The social worker will explain the concerns and discuss the options for resolving them, including any support services that may be available. and the parents or other relevant parties will have the opportunity to have their say and express their views on the concerns raised.
During the meeting, the social worker will also explain the possible consequences if the concerns are not addressed, including the possibility of Care Proceedings being initiated. The meeting is an opportunity for the parents to understand their concerns and to work with the local authority to address them, which can help to avoid court intervention.
If an agreement is reached during the PLO meeting, the local authority will draw up a written agreement setting out the plan of action. The agreement will be signed by all parties involved, and the plan will be reviewed at a later date to assess progress.
At the review meeting, the situation will be reviewed and if the Local Authority is satisfied that the concerns have been addressed, the process comes to an end. If there remain concerns a further plan may be drawn up and another review arranged. If the concerns have increased the Local Authority will usually then take the matter to court and the PLO meetings may well form part of their evidence.
