What is the Pre-Proceedings process?
The Pre-Proceedings process also knows as the Public Law Outline (PLO) takes place alongside an existing Child Protection Plan. The Pre-Proceedings process is started by a Local Authority when it has concerns that a child is at risk of harm and is considering making an application to Court to start care proceedings. Local Authorities do not want to take such a drastic step and therefore this process gives parents an opportunity to make changes to reduce the Local Authority’s concerns and prevent an application being made to Court.
The Local Authority will provide a letter which invites parents to a Pre-Proceedings meeting. This letter will set out what the Local Authority is concerned about and what needs to happen going forward.
What happens at a Pre-Proceedings meeting?
The meeting will be attended by the social work team, and you will be supported by your legal representative. The social work team will go through their concerns, and you will have the opportunity to respond with the support of your legal representative. The social work team will set out a clear plan of changes that they want you to make and how you can achieve these changes with timescales.
Further meetings will be arranged to review the progress of the plan, usually a mid-point review and a final meeting.
Legal Aid
A parent or a person with parental responsibility of the child who is the subject of the Pre-Proceedings process is automatically entitled to a form of Legal Aid called Legal Help. Legal Help will entitle the person to be represented by a solicitor at the Pre-Proceedings meetings and have ongoing advice during the process.
How can we help?
We can offer you specialist legal advice and representation in relation to the Pre-Proceedings process. If you receive a Pre-Proceedings letter from a Local Authority, please do not hesitate to contact us to seek advice and representation.
Call us on 0800 118 1500 or email info@talbotslaw.co.uk to speak to our team.