Care

If you are worried that your child has been exposed to domestic abuse or violence or the affects of drink or drugs or has been neglected when he or she is with your ex partner you should contact Social Services.

They will deal with your concern anonymously and in confidence.

Where they believe that a child is at risk of harm Social Services have a legal duty to protect them and take action. This will include making checks on anyone connected to or having contact with your child particularly any parent or new partner or anyone else living in a child’s household.

Child Protection Plan

Occasionally this can lead to a Child Protection Plan and involve other key professional such as doctors, health workers teachers and the police getting involved There may be Legal Planning Meetings and a Local Authority Care Plan and may lead to Emergency Protection Orders and Care Proceedings resulting an Interim Care Order or Interim Supervision Order

 

As it is important for your child’s safety to try and find out what happened sometimes very personal questions are asked which can be upsetting for you.

 

However even where court proceedings are started your child will have their own Guardian as well as a Legal Representative.

If you are a parent and someone with parental responsibility for the child free non-means tested legal aid through the public funding scheme is available for you.

 

At Milner Elledge we have a Specialist Team of Child Care Solicitors who are members of the Law Society Children Panel who have represented both parents and children in some highly complex cases.

 

Milner Elledge Soilcitors have both helped parents reunite with their children and helped children in court leading to their long term safety and security. Indeed even if your child cannot be return to you as parent the court could make a Special Guardianship Orders to another member of your family if it feels this is better for the child than making an Adoption Order.