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Our expert team of child care solicitors endeavour to make sure every child is protected as the largest provider of legal aid in the UK.
We help you look after their best interests
We understand that family life can be complicated and look to ensure the health and well-being of every child comes first.
We listen we support we act
No matter the issue, our solicitors are experienced in all child law matters and will act quickly on your behalf.
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Whether you are looking to adopt in the UK or internationally, our solicitors can guide you every step of the way.
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We know care proceedings are not easy - our solicitors are committed to finding the best solution for you and your family.
Child Care Articles
What is Mediation (6 September 2012)
Mediation is an alternative to litigation and can be used to settle family disputes and/or make arrangements about children, finances or other personal matters. The aim of mediation is to find a solution and make arrangements for the future. Read more...
What is Parental Responsibility (5 September 2012)
Parental responsibility is defined in the Children Act 1989 as “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property”. In more practical terms, having parental responsibility for a child means having a duty to care for and protect the child and having the responsibility of making important decisions in a child’s life and regarding the child’s future, such as those in relation to education, religion and medical treatment. Read more...
Family Drug and Alcohol Court [FDAC] - Findings from the FDAC evaluation (1 September 2012)
The Family, Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) is a specialist problem solving court with a multi-disciplinary team which works with the court during care proceedings in which the issues involved are centred on the parent’s drug or alcohol misuse. It began hearing cases in January 2008. FDAC essentially uses the process of the care proceedings to motivate the parents to engage in substance misuse treatment. FDAC aims to provide speedy expert assessments, support to parents, and links to the local authority services and quick access to a dedicated team of children’s guardians. It additionally aims to have judicial continuity as there are two dedicated FDAC Judges. Read more...
Are Children Safe in Care (10 August 2012)
Recent reports have revealed that children being placed in care are subject to sexual abuse. This was highlighted in May when the conviction this year of nine men in a child sex ring sparked concerns about the safety of children^s homes.
Children are usually removed by the Local Authority from their families as they are deemed to be at risk of significant harm however when these children are often removed they are being placed with foster carers or when there is no placement available they are being placed within Children’s homes. Read more...
Appointing a Guardian under the Children Act 1989 (24 July 2012)
Parental Responsibility ( PR) means all the rights, duties & powers, responsibilities & authority, which by law the parent of a child has in relation to that child and their property. All birth mothers automatically have PR for their children. Most fathers have or acquire PR for their children at some stage, either through marriage, by signing the birth certificate, by signing an Agreement with the mother or by obtaining a court order. Read more...
Schedule 1 Application - Children Act (29 February 2012)
Under Schedule 1 of the Children Act, you can make a financial application for a child to the court relating to maintenance payments and property settlement. This will cover periodic maintenance payments and periodical lump sum maintenance payments as well as the settlement and/or the transfer of property, and in certain circumstances, it is possible for the court to issue an order for periodic payments in the interim. These applications are usually made through the county court. Read more...
Child Maintenance-what am I entitled to? (6 February 2012)
You may be entitled to make a claim for child support or maintenance from the non-resident parent if you are raising one or more children on your own. This is a periodic payment arranged privately between the parents, and your local Child Support Agency (CSA) might collect and handle the payments on your behalf if you are not dealing directly with your partner anymore. The CSA can also trace and issue enforcement orders to absentee parents who are not contributing to the child’s upkeep. Read more...