Child Taken Into Care

We offer expert legal advice, when social services become involved with you and your family. We understand that this is a stressful time for everyone involved and our expert solicitors are on hand to help you through this difficult time.

How can we help?

The Public Law Outline (PLO) process

This is the last step before the Local Authority considers issuing proceedings. If you have received a letter from the Local Authority inviting you to a PLO meeting, contact us and we will attend this meeting with you.

Care Proceedings

If you are informed by the Local Authority that your child is being removed from your care, you should contact us straight away. Our team of experts have extensive knowledge and will be with you every step of the way. If you receive notice from the Local Authority that care proceedings are being issued, we will see you quickly to ensure that you are represented at the first hearing.

Other Orders that can be made

Special Guardianship orders

Discharging a care order

Adoption orders or placement applications.

We can advise you on other orders that can be made and can advise family members if they are being assessed as Special Guardians.

Why us?

We are experts in this field and our senior partner, Fariha Akhtar, has a keen interest in this area of work. We will always advise as to what is right for you and adopt a personal approach to your situation.

Is it domestic abuse?

If you answer yes to any one of the below, then this is defined as domestic abuse:

Physical violence;
Aspects of control;
Verbal abuse

How to protect yourself?

If you are in immediate danger, then call 999 for the police. You can also obtain a Non-Molestation Order and/or an Occupation Order.

What is a Non-Molestation Order?

A Non-Molestation Order (also known as an injunction) is a court order, that prevents someone from being violent towards you and your family. It also includes intimidation, pestering, and harassing and can also include restrictions around any known place where you may be eg. Your home or work place. These orders are made by the family court and if they are breached then this is now a criminal offence and you should contact the police immediately.

What is an Occupation Order?

Occupation orders relate to who can live in the family home and can also include on surrounding areas. For example, the court may set boundaries which involve how close the person can get to a property and whether they have access to a family home or business. If breached there can be serious consequences, including being arrested if a power of arrest document was lodged with the Court.

How quickly can you act for me?

When there is deemed to be an immediate risk, we can apply to the Court for an injunction or an occupation order on the same day or the following working day. We do not need to give the other party notice, if you are at risk of immediate harm. We understand the importance of risk and therefore arrange appointments on the same day (often immediately) and at your
convenience.

We will then prepare all the applications to ensure that we can get you to Court on the same day and at the very latest on the next working day. There maybe some situations where the risk to you is deemed to be less dangerous and, in these instances, we will advise you about putting the perpetrator on notice, so they would have notice of any Court application.

Am I entitled to Legal Aid?

You may be entitled to legal aid, provided you are financially eligible. We will complete an assessment with you and advise you whether you are entitled to legal aid. We will also provide you with an estimate of any contribution you may need to pay. If you do not qualify for legal aid, then we offer you a fixed fee for service for representation, allowing you to decide if you wish to proceed.

Want to see us out of hours?

Sure. We have families of our own and understand the need to be flexible. We therefore offer telephone and face to face appointments on evenings and weekends.