Care Plans

Care Plans

When the Local Authority have issued Care Proceedings, they are required to compile a care plan for each child within proceedings.

What is a Care Plan?

A care plan will include, but is not limited to the following points:

• Child’s needs;
• How the Local Authority will protect the child’s welfare;
• What orders from the Court the Local Authority is seeking;
• Wishes and views of others, including parents; and
• Proposals for arrangements for contact

The Court has a duty to consider contact arrangements between the child and the wider family and the care plan should consider this and set out recommendations for the Court.

What if I don’t agree with the Care Plan?

If you are not agreeable with the Care Plan, you will be given the chance to contest this within proceedings.

How can Duncan Lewis Solicitors help you?

Duncan Lewis Solicitors have a large family team who have significant experience within this area of law and are able to advise and assist you within proceedings.

Duncan Lewis is recommended by The Legal 500 legal directory for its specialism in all aspects of family and children law nationwide and cross-border. The Legal 500 applauds our family and child care solicitors to be a team of lawyers that are ‘friendly professionals who take their time to understand your case’. Duncan Lewis team includes Advanced Members of the Law Society’s Family Panel, and members of the Law Society Children.

How will the matter be funded?

Duncan Lewis Solicitors are able to provide free legal aid for these types of applications if you are the subject child, a biological parent or someone with parental responsibility for the subject child. Duncan Lewis Solicitors are also able to potentially provide free legal aid to any other respondent in such an application such as a family member, however such an application maybe means and merit tested. Our Children Law team are able to discuss funding options with you and can assess you for legal aid.

A fixed fee quote or a quote with a legal representative’s hourly rate may also be available for this matter. Potential quotes for such funding will be confirmed with you in advance of any work being undertaken on your matter.

For expert legal advice on all family and childcare matters, contact Duncan Lewis Solicitors on 033 3772 0409.