Support for you and your children
If the Local Authority contacts you about taking your child into care, it can obviously be very distressing for both you and your child.
At Nelsons, our team of family law solicitors in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham can offer expert advice and support regarding care proceedings.
Need advice? Contact us to find out how we can help
What our clients say about us…
-
What happens in care proceedings?
The Court will want to ensure that the child is protected, and taking them into care is not a decision they will make lightly. The Local Authority will give notice that they intend to issue proceedings to remove a child from your care, and will try to work with you to resolve the issues.
The Local Authority should only make a formal care application where there is a significant risk of harm or a likelihood of harm to the child. They will need evidence to do so.
-
If a Local Authority raises concerns about the care of your child, they may:
- Make a Section 47 referral to investigate the concerns;
- Apply to the Court for an Emergency Protection Order, allowing them to remove your child from your care and place them into Local Authority care; and/or
- Apply to the Court for a Care Order or Interim Care Order.
It is possible for grandparents and other family members to become involved in care proceedings, either by offering to care for the child in the short or long term, by supervising contact or by having contact with the child in their own right.
How our solicitors can assist with care proceedings
It is essential that as soon as the Local Authority becomes involved with your family that you seek legal advice and assistance.
Our dedicated team of accredited specialists with many years of experience working in this specialised area of law. We will respond to your enquiry quickly to help your family at what we know is a stressful and upsetting time.
Our expertise
Our team includes:
- Resolution Accredited Specialists
- Law Society Family Panel & Advanced Family Panel members
- Law Society Children Panel Members
Our expertise in children law and care proceedings is also recognised by the independent directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
-
“Accomplished practice noted for both matrimonial and childcare matters. Appropriately equipped to assist with public and private children law, including adoptions, child abductions and non-accidental injury cases. Active in high-value financial remedy matters, including those involving trusts, commercial assets and cross-border aspects.”
Chambers and Partners
-
"Nelsons Solicitors Limited has an experienced family and children law practice, and is noted for its strength in cases with an international element. The family team...regularly advises high-net-worth individuals on financial relief cases. Melanie Bridgen, who heads up the children team, is experienced in complex children proceedings; this includes matters concerning international relocation, parental alienation and non-accidental injuries."
The Legal 500
-
"Nelsons...is a leading firm in family law. They represent people from all walks of life and always give 110% to all of their cases. Their diversity is exceptional. Unlike other solicitors they are always on hand to speak by phone or email, night or day or weekend. They will take the most challenging pro bono cases to ensure that clients have the best representation and advocacy."
The Legal 500 2023
-
"Midlands powerhouse Nelsons Solicitors Limited houses family law specialists in each of its three offices, led by Emma Davies (in Nottingham); Melanie Bridgen (Derby)...The firm is particularly recommended for its capabilities in dealing with international children law cases, a specialism of Bridgen, as well as, surrogacy, unravelling trusts, complex business arrangements and divorce. ‘Outstanding’ director Gayle Rowley has built up a specialisation in financial remedies and private children law."
The Legal 500 2023
-
"Superb family law team, class A and the absolute go to in children law and financial relief on divorce. They far outweigh their competitors in every aspect. The people provide hands on support and client care from the outset concentrating on strategy and approach. Given their wealth of experience, they are financially competitive."
Referee feedback provided to The Legal 500 2024
-
"Nelsons are an well-established and highly respected firm, deservedly so. They cover a number of disciplines with the utmost professionalism. They are a pleasure to deal with and prominent in the local legal community."
Referee feedback provided to The Legal 500 2024
