Switalskis Child Care Solicitors York
Child law matters can be sensitive and emotional, and legal support from a local solicitor that you can trust is the only way to secure the best possible outcome. At Switalskis, our family law team specialises in representing families during interactions with the local authority and during any court proceedings that arise.
Wherever possible, our aim is to protect your parental responsibility during child and deliver an outcome that is in your family's best interests. Our expert advice and the range of legal services we provide can help you to anticipate what to expect from child care proceedings, and we'll always offer a realistic breakdown of the potential resolutions to your case.
If you need practical advice on child law proceedings or an intervention by social services, the expert child proceedings solicitors at Switalskis can help. Call us on 0800 138 0458 or contact us through the form on our site for an initial consultation.
Our office is situated in York city centre just a short walk from York Minster.
Switalskis is committed to clarity, and our priority whenever legal issues arise regarding children, or concerns are raised by a local authority, is to make sure you understand the process from start to finish. The terminology in these cases can be complex, but our experience in assisting clients at all stages of the process means we can break things down into straightforward terms and give you the confidence to make important decisions.
Working with a local legal practice in York means that you can get in touch with a solicitor easily whenever you need to, and arrange in-person appointments to talk through your needs and the options available. Our team has plenty of experience working with the York family court, and the expertise to make the strongest possible case on your behalf. We understand that any intervention by local authority or social worker can lead to an extremely difficult time and we're here to provide emotional support alongside our legal advice, so you can rely on our guidance at all stages of the process.
For further information about our services or free legal advice with no obligation, contact Switalskis today. Call us on 01302 320621 or contact us through the website.
If a local authority believes that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, it can bring child under the Children Act 1989. These are a type of court proceedings through which the local authority can pursue a court order to protect the child. They may result in a supervision order, where a social worker will be brought in to support the family, or a care order, where parental responsibility for the child is transferred to the local authority.
To make a care order or supervision order, the court must be satisfied that certain “threshold criteria” are met. This means proving that:
The local authority can also act if the cause of the harm (or risk of harm) is because the child is beyond parental control, irrespective of the care they have received. Common reasons for proceedings to begin include allegations of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or severe mental health difficulties affecting parenting. However, these are not the only potential triggers, and each case is fact-specific. The court examines evidence carefully before making decisions about parental responsibility.
Before issuing court proceedings, the local authority will usually carry out a child protection investigation, and send a “letter before proceedings” to invite parents to a formal pre-proceedings meeting (often called a Public Law Outline or PLO meeting). Parents are entitled to non-means tested legal aid for this stage, and with the right legal support it's often possible to resolve the matter before court is necessary.
At Switalskis, our York solicitors represent parents and other family members through these proceedings to deliver the best possible outcome for the child concerned. We can present evidence on your behalf and use our extensive experience to conclude any proceedings in your favour at the earliest possible stage.
The court has several options in child and will make decisions based on what it believes will be best for the child. While some cases end with no further action, the local authority will usually begin proceedings only if it believes that a court order is necessary. Orders that the court may issue include:
Under a care order, the child is placed in the care of the local authority, which will share parental responsibility with the parents. This means that the authority can decide where the child lives and have input into other key decisions. In the most serious cases, the child may be placed into foster care or residential care, or live with a relative.
A supervision order allows the local authority to supervise and support the family. Under these circumstances, the child will remain at home and their parents will retain primary parental responsibility. However, if improvements are not made that would ensure that the child receives the care they need, the local authority may return the matter to the court.
In some cases, the court will implement temporary interim care or supervision orders while proceedings are ongoing.
To find out how we can help, call us today on 0800 1380 458, or reach out to us via our website.
| Information | Yes or no |
|---|---|
| Accessibility for prams and wheelchairs | Yes, lift to 1st floor |
| Hearing support | N/A (please request if support required) |
| Dementia friendly firm | Yes |
| Breastfeeding friendly | Yes |
| Toilet facilities – general | Yes |
| Toilet facilities for wheelchair users | Yes |
If you are concerned about child and need legal advice, the team at Switalskis can help. We have many years of experience and our child care team can give you a thorough breakdown of what to expect, including the potential outcomes in your specific circumstances.
Call Switalskis today on 0800 138 0458 . Alternatively, contact us through the form on our website to learn more.