Childcare Proceedings Solicitors

“Beecham Peacock Solicitors are the best in terms of professionalism. 100 per cent in delivering service to clients!” – Temi.

“This is the first time in my life I have ever needed any legal help or advice, but I am truly in awe of my solicitor Jane Ferguson of Beecham Peacock, she put me at ease from day one.” – Ian.

Childcare proceeding services 

Beecham Peacock offers cohesive childcare proceedings services as one of our family law specialities, covering everything from advice to representation if an order is challenged in court.

Our helpful childcare solicitors have experience in a range of services concerning children, including divorce, child contact and access. We are aware of how stressful and upsetting these issues can be and we’re are always sensitive to your situation.

Legal aid for childcare proceedings

If you are acting as a parent or guardian for a child involved in childcare proceedings initiated by a local authority, you may be entitled to legal aid for childcare proceedings.

Beecham Peacock can act as legal aid childcare proceedings solicitors, offering expert support for those receiving legal aid, as well as advising on whether you can claim legal aid.

What are childcare proceedings?

Childcare proceedings is the name given to the action taken by a local authority when they believe a child is at risk of significant harm or neglect.

In short, it’s your local authority requesting permission from the courts to intervene on behalf of a child’s safety.

The proceedings are intended to determine the best arrangements for the benefit of the child in question, such as being placed into foster care or the care of a guardian.

Step 1: Application issued

The first step a local authority usually takes is to send out an application to the family courts for a supervision or care order.

This is the beginning of legal involvement. The application will include details as to why intervention has been requested.

Step 2: Notice sent 

This is the first time a family is made aware that legal action has begun, with notice of childcare proceedings sent to all parties involved with the care of the child – typically, parents, guardians and other notable caregivers.

As soon as you receive notice, you should contact one of our childcare proceedings solicitors to help fight your corner and achieve the best outcome.

The parents of the child will be asked to write a response document – a specialist childcare lawyer from Beecham will help with this.

Finally, this notice will make the relevant parties aware that an independent social worker has been appointed to the case.

Step 3: Case management hearing

The case management hearing is the first hearing after the application is issued.

This hearing will set out the timeline for the rest of the proceedings, including the main issues and proposed care plan. It will also ensure that assessments of the claims are underway.

Step 4: Issues resolution hearing

After the relevant assessments are complete and a written care plan is submitted, the issues resolution hearing is an opportunity for parties to review the evidence given and potentially resolve issues without need for a trial.

If the issues resolution hearing does reach a new agreement, final orders will be made. These orders include long-term plans, such as where the child will live and any contact arrangements.

However, if an agreement is not met, the case will advance to a final hearing.

Step 5: Final hearing 

The final hearing involves presenting all the evidence from both parties to the court. The court has the final say on the child’s long-term care.

Evidence given could include witness testimony, cross-examination, submissions from the parties’ legal representatives and more. The judge will then make a binding decision on the child’s future.

Meet the Newcastle-based expert childcare solicitors 

Sophia Yau-Rosher | Director

Charlotte Talbot | Director

Laura Mayne | Family Trainee Solicitor

Lauren Laverick | Solicitor

Sophie Walker | Family Paralegal

Talk to our North East childcare lawyers

For the best solicitors to fight a Social Services case in Newcastle, contact our childcare lawyers.

We will help you navigate legal matters where a supervision or care order has overreached, been unfair or is disproportionate to the claim against you.

Call: 0191 232 3048

Email: enquire@beechampeacock.co.uk

Visit: 2nd Floor South, New England House, 10 Ridley Place, Newcastle, NE1 8JW.

Childcare proceedings FAQs

Charlotte Talbot is recommended and Sophia Yau-Rosher is ‘sensitive, responsive and efficient, and combines excellent legal judgement with sound advice’