Reasons Social Services Would Take a Child

Reasons Social Services Would Take a Child

There are several reasons social services would take a child from their parents, however, they can only do so with a court order or the consent of the parent.

Social services can take a child from their home if an emergency protection order or interim care order is granted during or prior to care proceedings taking place, or when a permanent order has been granted after care proceedings have concluded. Social services can also take a child away from their parents and place it in temporary care if the parents have agreed to this and have voluntarily signed a Section 20 Agreement.

When social services get involved, you are entitled to legal representation. We can provide you with expert advice and representation throughout care proceedings, when protection orders are granted, and when you are worried about your child being taken from your care. Legal aid is often available, regardless of your means.

Our UK based children solicitors are here to support you, so get in touch today and find out how we can help.

When Social Services Would Take a Child

If concerns have been raised about the wellbeing or safety of a child social services will get involved. Concerns could be raised by family members, teachers, a GP, the police or other individuals in the community.

Social services’ main aim it to protect the child. They, like the courts and the police, will always act in the best interest of the child, over the best interest of the parents.

However, that does not mean that they will want to take a child from the care of the parents as soon as things go wrong. It’s strongly believed that a child is in most cases best cared for by their parents, which is why social services will aim to keep the child in the parent’s home while providing support for the family in order to improve the child’s circumstances.

Only where this is not possible, and the child is deemed to be at risk of significant harm should social services take steps to take the child from the parents.

Social services do not have the authority to decide when to remove a child. If they believe the child to be at risk of significant harm, they can’t remove the child from the home unless a court order has been granted.

Common Reasons Social Services Would Take a Child

Common reasons social services would take a child into temporary or permanent care include:

• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Medical neglect
• Abandonment
• If the parents have been incarcerated
• Serious illness or death of parents

For social services to be able to take a child from their home either permission must have been given by the parents or a court order must have been granted. For a child to be permanently placed into care, care proceedings must first be completed, and a court must make a final judgement.

To take a child from their home permanently, social services must provide evidence that the child’s safety or wellbeing is at risk.

When you are Worried Social Services Will take your Child

If social services are investigating your child’s wellbeing and safety, and you are worried they are considering taking your child out of your care, get in touch.

Our children solicitors are experts in their field. We can explain in detail the reasons social services would take a child and are here to support you with any matters relating to care proceedings, protection orders and the removal of children from their home.

We have offices based in the UK and can help parents throughout England. Legal aid is likely available to you, regardless of your means.