Child Care Proceedings

Children cases with social services involvement

We are leading family lawyers in Exeter. Our care proceedings solicitors specialise in representing families where social services have become involved with children, including where the local authority has made an application to the court for a supervision order or care order in respect of a child. We can also advise on legal aid for care proceedings.

Legal representation in care proceedings

Applications by the local authority for a Care or Supervision Order are generally referred to as ‘care proceedings’. Parents, or those with parental responsibility, will be automatically eligible for legal aid for care proceedings. This means that legal advice and representation by a care proceedings lawyer will be free.

The child or children who are the subject of the ‘care proceedings’ will also be represented in the court proceedings and a ‘Children’s Guardian’ will be appointed. This person is not a ‘guardian’ in the sense of looking after the child on a day to day basis, but rather is an independent person with a social work background who will meet with everyone, including the child, and who advises the court as to what they believe to be in the child’s best interests.