Adoption & Care Proceedings

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How do care proceedings work?

When social services are concerned about a child’s welfare they will look closely at the child’s situation and family life. Taking children away from their parents should normally be the last step social services take to make sure the children are safe and well cared for.  Help and assistance should also be offered to the parents. A parent or parents should always be involved in decisions made about their child or children unless a court has decided they should not.

The welfare of children is the most important consideration and it can often feel to the parents that they are being pushed aside or treated unfairly. However, the safety and protection of the child involved will usually be the first priority.  Where arrangements for the child or children cannot be agreed, the local authorities are enabled to take protective measures for the child or children in their area.  The social services have a statutory duty of care towards these children.

The main orders within care proceedings are:

  • Emergency Protection Orders.
  • Care Orders.
  • Interim Care Orders.
  • Supervision Orders.
  • Interim Supervision Orders.
  • Child Assessment Orders.

Some meetings and procedures may take place without court proceedings- such as Child Protection Conferences, Core Groups and Pre-Proceedings (known as Letter before Action Meetings).

Police Protection Orders can occur without proceedings in place but they can only last for 72 hours.

How can we help?

At Brighton & Hove Law, we are experienced in working through difficult and complicated circumstances. If you have received a letter before proceedings, social services have taken your child into care or have threatened to do so, it is important that you are represented by a specialist who can guide you through this process. It is important you seek legal advice as soon as possible, as you will generally qualify for legal aid. We can obtain this for you on an emergency basis if necessary. Please contact us if you have any questions or feel you need our help.

Client Testimonials

I had a protracted and complicated divorce and I could not have wished for a better solicitor. The divorce process and all the associated financial negotiations are complex and come at a time when you are emotionally fraught, stressed and at a low ebb. Having a solicitor who is fair, firm and practical and clearly explained the options at every stage makes such a huge difference.

Lucy enabled me to balance getting the fairest settlement with retaining a workable relationship with my ex. There were no surprise, superfluous bills or actions taken that I wasn’t 100% comfortable with, which is so important.

She was available to chat on the phone and I far preferred dealing with one solicitor, who personally knew my case, rather than going via a larger firm where you do not receive such a focused, expedited approach.

I would 100% recommend Lucy to my closest friends and family.

Ms S – Hove

I must say you have been amazing throughout this process and we both are most grateful. I know it has not been the most straightforward of cases, but your understanding, flexibility and patience, along with your excellent communications have made it as pain free as could be possible. I will without doubt be recommending your services.

Mr F

Thank you so much for all your help over the last 18 months. I couldn’t have done it without you! You truly are wonderful and amazing at what you do and have played a huge role in supporting my family. I will miss our phone calls – I’m not going to know what to do with myself now! The happiness of my children together really sums up what we’ve been fighting for the past year and a half! Again, thank you so much, from all of us.

Mrs A

Sarah has been unfailingly professional and client focused throughout. Her enthusiasm and commitment to always providing the best legal advice and assistance to clients is unparalleled. I would have no hesitation in referring a friend or family to Sarah in the event of them having a family law issue.

Michael Valks, Barrister

I’d like to thank you for your assistance. Your friendly, professional manner has been greatly appreciated particularly with such a sensitive and stressful subject. I’m very pleased I chose your firm.

Ms K

Thanks very much for all your sterling help through what has been a horrible time.

Mrs M  –  Brighton 

Hello Lucy,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for all your brilliant advice. I don’t think I would have got through it all without your support. I will certainly recommend you to anyone who needs an excellent solicitor.

Ms K – Brighton

The service I received from Brighton and Hove Law, and from Lucy in particular, has been absolutely incredible and I can’t thank Lucy enough. She has been super professional, provided me with detailed and expert knowledge, explained everything to me really clearly, and been so reassuring and supportive at such a traumatic and stressful time. She is really kind, approachable, detailed and thorough, and always responded quickly and arranged calls and meetings at times to suit me, making me feel like nothing was too much trouble. I honestly couldn’t have got through the last 2 years without her.

Ms H

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