All Local Authorities have a duty under Children Act 1989 to safeguard and protect children from the likelihood of them suffering harm from the person who is looking after them. In case of emergency, where there is the likelihood of the child suffering harm, immediate action would most likely be taken for the protection of the child. The Police and the Social Services may therefore just remove the child under an Emergency Protection Order or Interim Care Order. The parents will need to act quickly as there will be Court hearings at short notice. We are able to advise and represent you in proceedings involving Local Authorities, including:
· Emergency Protection Order.
· Interim Care Order.
· Care Order.
· Supervision Order.
· Child Assessment Order.
· Adoption Order.
· Wardship.
We are also able to deal with matters such as fostering and adoption and to assist you if you have a child who has Special Needs.
The above are only some of the issues that we handle. If you have any other matter, we would be happy to assist.
The Courts are very proactive in cases involving children. The Public Law Outline sets out various steps that have to be taken by a Local Authority before it applies to the Court for any order in respect of a child. The emphasis is very much on trying to resolve the Local Authority’s concerns regarding the well being of a child, as quickly and amicably as possible. The parents or carers of the child are given an opportunity of being actively involved in finding a suitable solution that would be in the best interest of the child. If all else fails, the Local Authority will take proceedings to protect a child. The type of remedy the Local Authority seeks would vary according to what it intends to achieve.
