Legal Planning Meeting

Legal Planning Meeting

What is a Legal Planning Meeting?

A Legal Planning Meeting will be held when the Social Worker has concerns and believes that a court order may be necessary to protect a child. The professionals at the meeting will discuss and decide whether the threshold criteria has been met to initiate proceedings.

The Local Authority will then seek legal advice, discuss the case and  conduct a risk assessment to determine whether it is in the best interests of the child to provide further support for the family to attempt to avoid proceedings, whether Care Proceedings should be initiated immediately or if pre-proceedings should be initiated.

During the meeting, the Local Authority will also discuss whether any assessments should be undertaken, for example, a psychological assessment. If the outcome of the meeting recommends care proceedings should be issued then a draft care plan should be recommended for the child and will be discussed at the Meeting.

Who attends a Legal Planning Meeting?

A Legal Planning Meeting is a meeting held between the children’s Social Worker, Local Authority managers and the legal representative for the Local Authority. If the children are in Foster Care already, the Social Worker will obtain the carer’s views and ensure that these are discussed at the meeting. 

Parents and family members of the child are encouraged to attend the meeting and to meaningfully engage with the process.

Role of a solicitor in Legal Planning Meetings

The role of the solicitor at the meeting is as an advisor and to offer support to the parent. However, in some exceptional circumstances, where the parent does not feel able, the solicitor may speak on their behalf. 

What are the possible outcomes of a Legal Planning Meeting?

At the conclusion of the Legal Planning Meeting:

• The Local Authority may give the parents more support and time to improve their parenting, or work with the child if they are beyond parental control
• Apply for a Court Order to protect the child and remove them from the care of their parent/ guardian
• Decide that the child goes to stay with another family member or is cared for by the Local Authority
• Take no further action

After the meeting, parents should be sent a letter setting out what was discussed and decided at the meeting and what the next steps in the case will be. This maybe a letter before proceedings or a letter of issue.

Parents are not entitled to receive any papers or minutes from the meeting.

How can Duncan Lewis Solicitors assist you?

Duncan Lewis Solicitors have a specialist children law team who represent parents, family members and children within this area of law and at these meetings. They have the skills and knowledge to ensure you are fully equipped with the required information to allow you to meaningfully engage with the proceedings. 

Additionally, Duncan Lewis Solicitors have Solicitors, Trainees Solicitors and Caseworkers who speak a range of languages to assist clients where required with any language barriers. 

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?

Legal aid may be available to parents, depending on the application. Alternatively, a fixed fee or hourly rates of a legal representative will be provided to you in advance for your full consideration. If the Local Authority decide to initiate Care Proceedings, parents in proceedings will be automatically eligible for Legal Aid.

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