Crowned with Care
For all children, going into the Care system can be extremely daunting. Local Authorities do their utmost to ensure that children are placed with culturally appropriate foster carers, but this is not always the case. Can you
Chelsea Harris
Can my baby be placed for adoption by the Local Authority against my will?
Your baby being placed for adoption against your will is referred to as a non-consensual adoption or contested adoption. The term ‘forced adoption’ is not a term that is used within the Family Court but is used
The Court could make a Supervision Order or Care Order, what approach needs to be applied by the Court when considering these Orders?
The recent decision in the Court of Appeal in the case of JW (Child at home under Care Order) [2023] EWCA CIV 944 is a reminder of the approach that should be taken when considering making final
I have been invited to a Child Protection Conference for my child – what does this mean?
The Local Authority will arrange a child protection conference for a child if there are concerns regarding the child being abused or it is believed that the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. A
Regional Legal Aid Firm of 2022 at the LALYs!
‘A Team of Fabulous Women!’ and ‘Leicester Legal Aid Legends’: Johnson Astills declared the Regional Legal Aid Firm of 2022 at the LALYs! What are the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (LALYS)? On Tuesday 12
National DoLs Court is being launched at the Royal Courts of Justice
DoL stands for ‘Deprivation of Liberty’ and means that a person’s freedom is taken away from them. Being deprived of liberty will mean that a person is under continuous supervision and control and is not permitted to
Blood Alcohol Testing: Is PEth is leading the way?
You may be asked to engage in blood alcohol testing. This has now become an essential part in providing an insight into an individual’s alcohol consumption and providing an evidential picture within proceedings before the Family Court.
What will happen when my child is ready to leave Local Authority care?
Once a Care Order is made at Court, this Order remains in place until a child reaches 18 years old. Once a child reaches adulthood, the Care Order will cease to have effect. The Local Authority have
Putting Children’s voices at the heart of reform. A report by Dame Rachel De Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England January 2022
The report completed by Dame Rachel De Souza is dedicated to the children in care, who have voiced their experiences. These children have shared their thoughts and personal experiences in the hope that change can be brought
Are Local Authority Leicester City Council Children’s Services Department meeting the needs of families and their children? Update 2022
We previously wrote about the first Social Care Annual Report that was released from Ofsted in 2013. This report identified that a vast majority of Local Authorities were inadequate, and some child safeguarding services were struggling to
Social Services have asked me to sign and adhere to a Written Agreement and Safety plan, should I sign?
If social services have asked you to sign a safety plan for children or a written agreement, it is important to understand what these documents mean and the implications of signing them. These agreements are not legally
What do Social Services mean when they say my child is at risk of harm?
There are 4 main types of Harm that the Social Services may think your child is at risk of suffering or is already suffering. These 4 types are: Emotional harm, Physical harm, Sexual harm and Neglect. Your
Does the Human Rights Act 1998 protect parents in Care Proceedings
The protection of your Human Rights is vital in all aspects of the Law. Article 8 of the Human Rights Act provides that everyone has the right to respect for private and family life. How is this
Care Proceedings are lasting longer in Court due to COVID-19
The duration of Care Proceedings in Court has increased since the beginning of the lockdown and has reached the longest length since the 26-week target rule was introduced in 2014, despite the number of cases being issued
The Local Authority want to complete a Risk Assessment, what does this mean?
The Local Authority are likely to want to complete a risk assessment where they consider there to be a likelihood of a significant risk of harm to a child. Where there are concerns around domestic violence in
Will I get free legal advice if the Local Authority become involved with my family?
Depending upon the extent of the involvement by the Local Authority, you may be eligible for free legal help under three levels of public funding Legal Help Level 1, Legal Help Level 2 or Full Representation. The
Can my information be shared between my Care Proceedings and Criminal Proceedings?
The simple answer is yes. Your information can be disclosed and shared between proceedings governed by the 2013 protocol and good practice model. In Care Proceedings, there is a form Annex D that the Local Authority will
