What is a Public Law Outline In Care Proceedings ?

What is a Public Law Outline In Care Proceedings?

Table of contents

• What is a Public Law Outline?

• What is required in a Public Law Outline?

• What is a Pre-Proceedings Meeting in Care Proceedings?

• Who attends Pre-Proceedings Meetings?

• What are a parent's rights and responsibilities during a PLO and a pre-proceeding meeting?

• Next steps

Being contacted by Social Services because they have concerns about your child is incredibly worrying, and it is natural to be frightened. In such situations, it is essential to understand your legal rights and the best actions to take to ensure your family stays together.

Before Care Proceedings begin, family members may enter into the Public Law Outline (PLO) process—a pre-proceedings phase designed to explore solutions and avoid court intervention where possible. A Child Care Solicitor can attend PLO meetings with you, offering expert guidance and advocating for your family.

What is a Public Law Outline?

A PLO is when social services have increasing concerns with regards to the welfare of your child and/or children and wish to invite you to a meeting to find a collaborative way to work with you to address those concerns. This is governed by Practice Directive 12A of the Family Procedure Rules 2010.

It is crucial to note that a PLO is the step social services consider before bringing the matter to court. There are clear guidelines governing the process. A Care Proceedings Solicitor can advise and support you throughout the process and ensure you are fairly represented.

What is required in a Public Law Outline?

During the PLO process, the onus will be on the Local Authority to explore assessments and put in appropriate support and services for your family so that the concerns raised can be managed. The PLO process is centred around ensuring the child and/or children’s needs are met and in some cases court proceedings can be avoided.

The process should be kept under close review by your Care Proceedings Solicitor and should take thee to six months to conclude. You may have more than one meeting with social services during this time.

What is a Pre-Proceedings Meeting?

Usually taking between one to two hours, a Pre-Proceedings Meeting is an opportunity for you and social workers to agree on what changes need to be made to avoid Care Proceedings.

This meeting is critical. It is a chance for you to agree on the steps needed to get your family back on track and ensure your child's safety within the family home and in the community. It also provides an opportunity for you to secure the support of social workers and access to other services that can help you and your family make the changes required.

During the meeting Local Authority team will explain what assessments they wish you and your family to undertake to better understand the needs of your children and any support required.

You may be asked to sign an agreement stating you will do or not do certain things. Although not legally binding, it is crucial to follow the agreement as if you do not, the Local Authority will likely apply for a Care Order, and you will have to go to Court.

The agreement may state things like:

• Your child has to attend school and arrive on time.

• You or someone else in the home must attend an alcohol or drug addiction programme.

• Your child cannot have contact with a specific person or people.

• You need to clean your home and keep it in a hygienic condition (in a case where someone in the family is suffering from a hoarding disorder).

• You need to cooperate with social workers when they visit.

• You must submit to random drug and alcohol testing.

At the end of the PLO meeting, another meeting will be arranged. This is where you can demonstrate that you have followed what was agreed in the previous meeting and show how your family situation has improved.

If the Local Authority is satisfied that your child is safe, the PLO process will end. Social workers will step the matter down and support you and your family in a less intrusive way..

Who attends Pre-Proceedings Meetings?

PLO meetings are attended by the child's parents and their Care Proceedings Solicitor, a social worker, a Local Authority Solicitor, and a Chairperson.

What are a parent's rights and responsibilities during a PLO and a pre-proceeding meeting?

Parents have the right to have a Care Proceedings Solicitor advise and represent them through the entire PLO process, including Pre-Proceedings Meetings. You must cooperate with the PLO process. This includes attending all meetings and taking the actions set out in the agreement made after the Pre-Proceedings Meeting.

Remember, everyone in the PLO process is focused on what is best for your child. Social workers are there to help and support you. With expert legal advice, you and your family can move past this difficult time towards a positive future.

Can I get Legal Aid I care proceedings?

If you are the parent of the child, or another person who has Parental Responsibility, such as a relative who has a Residence Order or a Child Arrangement Order, you will likely qualify for Legal Aid.

Next steps

The PLO process provides you and others with Parental Responsibility the opportunity to turn things around and avoid Care Proceedings and the chance of your child being removed from your home. Therefore, it is vital you have a Care Proceedings Solicitor by your side who can help you understand everything that is happening and protect the best interests of you and your child.

To speak to one of our Care Proceedings Solicitors who may be able to help you, please call us on 0300 3732424.