Care Proceedings

Care Proceedings Solicitors

Facing care proceedings can be overwhelming. Our dedicated and understanding Care Proceedings Solicitors in London will approach your case with empathy and work tirelessly to support you through this challenging process.

How can we help?

Your case will be handled by our experienced Public Law Family Department who will work diligently with you. At GN Law, our specialist team of Care Proceedings Solicitors and Lawyers are members of the Children Law Accreditation Scheme and Resolution. We’ll listen to understand your goals, offer honest and compassionate advice at every step, and strive to keep families together.

Our Care Proceedings Solicitors advise and represent individuals involved in care proceedings, including parents, wider family members, children through their Guardian, and children who are able to instruct solicitors independently.

GN Law is based in North Finchley in London, acting for our care proceedings clients locally in Whetstone, Totteridge, Finchley, Barnet and New Southgate, across London and the UK.

Our expertise covers all Public Law Children Act matters, including:

• Care Proceedings: We represent parents, children, and guardians in Care Proceedings to ensure that the child’s welfare is protected while safeguarding your rights throughout the legal process.
• Legal Gateway Meetings: We provide skilled representation during legal gateway meetings and Public Law Outline (PLO) pre-proceedings, where the local authority considers whether to initiate care proceedings.
• Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs): We offer urgent legal advice and representation in situations involving Emergency Protection Orders, which allow a child to be taken into care in critical circumstances.
• Care Orders: Our team provides expert guidance in cases where Care Orders are made, determining the local authority’s responsibility for the long-term care of your child.
• Supervision Orders: We assist in cases involving Supervision Orders, where the local authority monitors your child’s welfare while they remain at home under specific conditions.
• Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs): Our team helps clients secure Special Guardianship Orders, granting extended family members or carers long-term responsibility for a child without severing legal ties to the birth parents.
• Placement Orders: Our expertise includes handling Placement Orders, which authorise the local authority to place a child for adoption, balancing your interests with the child’s best outcome.
• Section 20 Accommodation: We advise on voluntary Section 20 agreements, ensuring you fully understand your rights when agreeing for your child to be accommodated by the local authority.
• Secure Accommodation: We advise on cases involving Secure Accommodation, ensuring that any deprivation of liberty for a child is lawful and necessary for their protection or the safety of others.

Legal Aid for Care Proceedings

Legal aid is usually available for care proceedings in the UK, particularly for parents involved in the case. Here’s a breakdown of eligibility:

• Parents and Guardians: Parents of the child subject to the proceedings and anyone with parental responsibility (through a child arrangements order or special guardianship order) automatically qualify for legal aid. This means their financial situation or the case’s merits (likelihood of success) do not affect their eligibility.
• Other Parties: For other parties involved (grandparents, stepparents etc.), legal aid is available based on a means and merits test. This means their financial situation and the strength of their case will be assessed to determine eligibility.

Therefore, if you are a parent involved in care proceedings, you are entitled to legal aid, providing free legal advice and representation throughout the process. It ensures you have a solicitor by your side to guide you through the complexities of the case and fight for your rights.

We understand the emotional and legal challenges of care proceedings. Our team can help you understand your legal aid eligibility, explore your options, and complete the application process. Legal Aid may also be available to other family members involved in the case, but eligibility will depend on their specific circumstances.

Securing Your Child’s Future

Facing care proceedings can be a highly stressful and emotional experience. At GN Law, we understand the complexities of these cases and are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our dedicated Child Care Proceedings team has extensive experience and a proven track record of achieving positive outcomes and are backed by a network of specialists in complementary family law areas, such as domestic abuse and children matters, as well as mental health professionals. This comprehensive approach ensures we can address all aspects of your case effectively while prioritising the well-being of your child.

If you would like more information and advice, please contact our Care Proceedings Team on 020 8492 2290 or email us at sols@gnlaw.co.uk.