What is a Care Proceedings letter and what should I do?
“I have received a letter saying that my child’s Social Worker may start Care Proceedings if I do not make changes to the way I care for him. What can I do?”
This letter will normally say that you have been given a last chance to improve your parenting to avoid your child being removed.
It will include a list of actions you need to take or things that you need to change so that you can keep your child. Normally the letter will say that you are invited to a pre-proceedings meeting, sometimes called a PLO meeting, to discuss the improvements you need to make.
If you receive this letter or if the Social Worker suggests to you that they may try to remove your child from your care, it is really important that you see a solicitor immediately. You should choose a solicitor who specialises in Children’s Law and who is a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel. You should give your solicitor a copy of the letter you have received.
If you have received a letter before Proceedings, you will not have to pay for your solicitor. You will be entitled to free Legal Aid and your solicitor will be paid by the Legal Aid Agency to attend the meeting with you.
The Social Worker will usually want to see that you have made the changes which they have suggested are necessary for your child to be safe and well cared for within a period of time after the meeting, usually 4 – 6 weeks, otherwise they will start Court Proceedings and your child could be removed.
It is important that you focus on making the changes as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
It is important that you get any help that you can. You should speak to your family immediately to see how they can help you. You should also think whether there are any family members or close friends who could care for your child if you are unable to and if they can, ask them to contact the Social Worker straight away to tell them this.
Receiving a letter like this is always very upsetting. It is your last chance to make changes to avoid the Social Worker taking the matter to the Court and trying to remove your child from your care. It is important that you act quickly and do not ignore the letter.
You should try to cooperate with the Social Worker.