Child Care Solicitors

A child protection solicitor or a child care solicitor specialises in legal child care proceedings related to concerns about the care a child receives. They deal with complex proceedings involving care orders, and emergency protection orders. Typically, a child care solicitor provides specialist legal advice and represents parents and grandparents in custody battles, as well as communicating with social services workers.

If you believe a child may be at risk, you should contact the relevant child protection authorities as soon as possible. If you are unsure how to proceed, Cartwright King’s child care solicitors have offices across the UK and we are just a phone call away, ready to offer the advice and support you need.

It’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible if:

• social services have got in contact with you regarding concerns for your child’s welfare;
• you are facing court proceedings;
• you need guidance on your parental rights.

Many child care cases are eligible for legal aid, particularly if the local authority has issued court proceedings. Get in touch and our team can assess your eligibility and help you apply.

If you have been contacted by social services, stay calm, ask for details in writing, and seek legal advice immediately.

Engaging with social services properly and understanding your rights can make a significant difference in the outcome.

If you have been contacted by social services, get in touch with our social services solicitors.

Our child care solicitors can assist in challenging social services decisions, including child protection plans, care orders, and placement decisions.

If you don’t agree with a decision made by social services, get in touch with our team.

If the local authority takes your child into care, you have legal rights to be involved in decisions about their welfare.

Our child care solicitors can represent you in court, helping you understand your legal options.

If you want to care for a child who cannot live with their parents, our child care team can assist you through the process of applying for an SGO and explain your legal responsibilities.

Child care cases often involve multiple parties, each with a role in ensuring the child’s welfare. These may include:

• Parents: As the child’s legal guardians, parents are usually at the centre of child care cases, with rights and responsibilities concerning their child’s upbringing.
• Children: In some cases, children may have their own legal representation, so all parties are made aware of their wishes and can act in their best interests
• Family Members (e.g., Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Siblings):  Relatives can play an important role, whether supporting parents, seeking contact, or applying for legal responsibility through a Special Guardianship Order.
• Social Services (Local Authority Children’s Services): If concerns are raised about a child’s safety or wellbeing, social workers may carry out assessments, offer support, or take legal action if deemed necessary.
• CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service):  CAFCASS officers represent children in family court proceedings, ensuring their voices are heard and advising the court on their welfare.
• Foster Carers: If a child enters foster care, foster carers provide day-to-day care but do not hold legal parental responsibility.
• Legal Guardians or Special Guardians: A Special Guardianship Order can give a trusted individual legal responsibility for a child when living with their parents is not possible.
• Judges and Magistrates: In court proceedings, judges or magistrates make decisions about the child’s future, considering all evidence and expert recommendations.
• Solicitors and Barristers: Legal professionals provide guidance and representation to parents, children, and other family members involved in the case.
• Independent Experts (e.g., Psychologists, Medical Experts, Social Work Assessors):In more complex cases, professionals might assess a child’s needs or evaluate a parent’s ability to provide appropriate care.

If you are facing accusations of harming a child, seek legal advice immediately.

Any allegations of abuse or neglect can have serious consequences. A child care solicitor can help protect your rights as well as ensuring the legal process remains fair.