A Parent’s Guide to Public Law Outline Proceedings (PLO)

Aug 2026 In: Child Care

When a local authority becomes concerned about the welfare of a child, they have a legal responsibility to act. In some cases, this means starting a process known as the Public Law Outline (PLO). For parents, being told you are entering PLO proceedings can be frightening and confusing. You may worry about what this means for your family and what might happen next.

This guide aims to explain the PLO process, helping you understand what’s involved, why proceedings have been initiated, and how you can seek legal support.

If the local authority has been in contact with you about the welfare of your child, our child care solicitors can provide legal advice and support. Get in touch with our child law team today.

What Is Changing in the Law for Parents

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. It will change the pre-proceedings stage by requiring local authorities in England to offer parents a family group decision-making meeting before they apply for a care or supervision order.

This part of the Act is not yet in force, so the process explained below is the one that applies at the moment. We explain what will change further down this page, under the pre-proceedings letter.

What Is the Public Law Outline?

The Public Law Outline is a formal process used by local authorities before they apply to the family court for a care order. It’s essentially the last opportunity to work with the local authority to make changes and avoid court proceedings.

The PLO process is designed to give parents the chance to understand the concerns being raised and to take necessary steps to address those concerns, as well as demonstrate their ability to care for their child safely. The PLO process is not a punishment, and it doesn’t mean you’re losing your child. However, it is a serious warning that changes are needed.

Why Has the Local Authority Started This Process?

If you’ve been told your case is being dealt with under the PLO, it’s because the local authority believes your child may be at risk of significant harm. This might relate to issues such as neglect, emotional abuse, physical risk, exposure to domestic abuse, substance misuse, or other safeguarding concerns.

Rather than going straight to court, the local authority must follow the Public Law Outline as a way of giving families the opportunity to make changes with support. They may already have offered services or support through a Child in Need or Child Protection plan. If concerns continue, PLO is often the next step.

The Pre-Proceedings Letter

You will usually receive a formal letter which is sometimes called a ‘letter before proceedings’. This is a key part of the process and sets out:

The local authority’s concerns about your child’s safety or wellbeing.
What changes they want to see.
An invitation to attend a PLO meeting.
A recommendation that you seek legal advice immediately.

This letter is important as it means that court proceedings are being considered. It also signals a clear chance for you to engage with professionals and show you can work to address the concerns.

Family Group Decision-Making Meetings

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will require local authorities in England to offer you a family group decision-making meeting before they apply for a care or supervision order. That offer will have to be set out in the letter before proceedings. If you accept it, the meeting has to be held before the local authority applies to court.

A family group decision-making meeting brings together the people around your child. That will usually include you and anyone else with parental responsibility, and it can also include relatives, friends and other people connected with your child. The purpose is to give your family network the chance to discuss what your child needs and to put forward its own proposal in response to the local authority’s concerns. Your child may attend if the local authority thinks that is appropriate, and the local authority has to take your child’s wishes and feelings into account as far as it reasonably can.

The local authority does not have to make the offer where it considers that a meeting would not be in your child’s best interests.

This duty is not yet in force. It comes from section 1 of the Act, which inserts a new section 31ZA into the Children Act 1989, and it will start on a date set by the Government. Many local authorities already run family group conferences voluntarily, so you may be offered one now even though the duty has not begun. If you are invited to a meeting, speak to a solicitor before you attend so that you understand what is being proposed and what it may mean for your case.

The PLO Meeting

A PLO meeting is a structured meeting between the local authority, their legal team, you as the parent or carer, and your solicitor. It is sometimes called a pre-proceedings meeting.

During the meeting, the local authority will outline the concerns again and discuss what support they can offer. Your solicitor will speak on your behalf, help you understand what’s being asked of you, and work with you to respond to the local authority’s expectations.

You will usually be given a plan or agreement to follow. This might include parenting support, therapy, drug or alcohol treatment, or other forms of intervention depending on the issues raised.

It’s very important that you attend this meeting and take it seriously. It’s also crucial that you have legal representation. You are entitled to free Legal Aid regardless of your income if you’re going through the PLO process.

What Happens Next?

After the meeting, you will be given time to show that you are taking the necessary steps to address the concerns. Social workers will monitor your progress and offer support.

In some cases, if there is clear improvement and the risk to your child reduces, the local authority may decide not to go to court. The case may end or be stepped down to a lower level of involvement.

However, if there is little or no progress, or if concerns increase, the local authority may decide to issue care proceedings. This means applying to the court for an order that could result in your child being placed under supervision, removed from your care, or placed with other family members or foster carers. If this happens, you will continue to be legally represented and will have the opportunity to respond and be heard in court.

How Cartwright King Can Help with PLO Proceedings

At Cartwright King, our specialist childcare solicitors are here to support you from the moment you receive the pre-proceedings letter. We understand how stressful this situation can be, and we’re here to help parents engage with the process, understand their rights, and work toward the best possible outcome for their family.

We can represent you at PLO meetings, helping you access the support you need in a clear and accessible way. If the case does go to court, we will continue to represent you and ensure your voice is heard.

The Public Law Outline process is serious, but it is a chance to show that you can make changes and provide a safe, supportive environment for your child. With the right support and legal advice, many parents are able to work positively with the local authority and avoid care proceedings altogether.

If you have received a PLO letter or been invited to a pre-proceedings meeting, get in touch with our experienced team today.