Guidance on support and resources available to parents and families in care proceedings

This webinar is aimed at providing practitioners with a practical guide on the support eligible to families involved in care proceedings. Imogen will explore resources that can assist a parent’s case when the matter has or is likely to come before the court.

This includes:

• Assessments in care proceedings under section 38(6) of the Children Act and analysis of Re Y (A Child) (S.38(6) Assessment) [2018] EWCA Civ 992 and Re G (Interim Care Order: Residential Assessment) [2005] UKHL 68.
• Costs of support including residential unit assessments and therapy.
• Relevant courses to assist parents when the Local Authority has concerns including training programmes and addiction services. This includes practical tips on the best courses and support services to meet the family’s needs.
• Particular support for children with disabilities and special educational needs support for children, including EHC plans.

This session will provide useful tips for any practitioner working in care proceedings, from Local Authority’s to parent’s solicitors. It will provide information on what support should be offered to families and practical tips on how what to expect from the Local Authority.

Who this is for:

Local Authority solicitors and social workers, lawyers representing parents and children’s Guardians in care proceedings.

Top 3 takeaways from the webinar:

• Time is of the essence in PLO and at the beginning of care proceedings. Engage in the question of resources and support as soon as possible.
• Assessments must be necessary and proportionate. The court will take a child-focused approach.
• Be prepared to think creatively about support and resources including outside the family’s locality.

CPD hours:

This webinar provides you with 1 hour of learning.

Attendees will receive a CPD certificate upon completion of this course.

Learning objectives:

This talk will provide delegates:

• With the legal basis to understand the support services and resources that families should have access to, including its scope, necessity and proportionality.
• With the tools to understand what families should expect from Local Authority when they are engaged in care proceedings or PLO.
• Understand how such support is funded.
• With the tools to be able to think creatively and laterally about what could assist a family.
• Practical tips for evidence gathering.