Care Proceedings Solicitor in High Wycombe and Buckinghamshire

If Social Services have become involved with your family, obtaining legal advice at an early stage is crucial to getting the outcome you desire. Whether you’ve received a Letter Before Proceedings, inviting you to a PLO meeting, or care proceedings have already been issued, we provide clear advice, explain what happens next, and support you throughout this process.

Our Family Law team advises and represents parents, grandparents, children, and other family members in High Wycombe and Buckinghamshire. Led by Richard Wainman, we regularly assist clients facing difficult and stressful situations, including the possibility of children being removed from their care.

Legal Aid is automatically available to parents, regardless of income or savings

Have You Received a Letter Before Proceedings?

A Letter Before Proceedings is sent by Social Services when they are considering issuing care proceedings concerning a child. The letter will usually set out their concerns and invite you to attend a formal meeting, often referred to as a PLO meeting.

Effectively this is to the last chance to avoid care proceedings at court. Obtaining legal advice before attending a PLO meeting is very important. We can support you throughout, helping you prepare for the meeting and advising you on the steps that may reduce the likelihood of court proceedings being issued.

We understand that PLO meetings can be particularly difficult, and Social Services often hold these virtually. Some clients find video meetings stressful or struggle with this format for other reasons. We are sensitive to these needs and will advocate for breaks or other adjustments to be made during the process where needed.

Are the Concerns Raised Fair?

The concerns raised by Social Services at this early stage are not always clear-cut. Some issues can for example be subjective in that what one social worker may view as a risk, another may less so. We will carefully review the concerns raised and, where appropriate, challenge any assessments we consider to be unfair or based on an incomplete understanding of your circumstances. In other cases, a different approach may be more effective, focusing on practical steps that can be taken to address and resolve those concerns.

What Are Care Proceedings?

Care proceedings are court proceedings brought by a Local Authority when it believes that a child has suffered, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm.

The court will consider the concerns raised by the Local Authority, hear evidence from all parties involved, and decide what arrangements are in the child’s best interests.

The Local Authority may seek various orders, including:

• Interim Care Orders
• Interim Supervision Orders
• Care Orders
• Supervision Orders

In some cases, the Local Authority may seek the removal of a child from a parent’s care while proceedings are ongoing. Parents often feel that the situation presented by Social Services does not tell the whole story. There may be important background information, or recent changes in circumstances that need to be properly explained to the court.

How Our High Wycombe Care Proceedings Solicitors Can Help

Our High Wycombe team is led by Richard Wainman who is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel.

From the initial Letter Before Proceedings through to any final court hearing, our team can guide you through the process, advise you at each stage of the case, and make sure your voice is heard throughout.

Our team of experts have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the obligations of Social Services and we will ensure that the correct procedures are followed. We will challenge Social Services should these procedures not be followed correctly. Our experts will be able to assess whether the concerns raised by Social Services are relevant to the legal principles that any court would have to consider. It is important that you have legal representation at PLO meetings to ensure that the full rights of you and your family are properly protected.  

Where it will assist your case, we also work with local support agencies such as One Recovery Bucks (ORB) and Women’s Aid, with whom we have established relationships. We will help to sign post you to any local support agencies who may be able to support you and your family.

Richard Wainman is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, and he can represent children through CAFCASS in care proceedings. Richard is regularly instructed by Children’s Guardians and conducts her own advocacy.

Sarah Chan is a Senior Associate Solicitor, and she has been qualified since 2011. Sarah is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel. Sarah represents parents in care proceedings, and she is regularly instructed by CAFCASS to represent children through their Guardians.

Manjit Rai is an Associate Solicitor who specialises in representing parents in care proceedings. Manjit was previously a Partner at MMA Solicitors. Manjit is a member of the Law Society Children Panel, and she is regularly instructed by CAFCASS. Manjit is also a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children.

Sukhdeep Sira is an Associate Solicitor who works in our High Wycombe and in our Uxbridge Office. Sukhdeep is fluent in both Punjabi and Hindi. Sukhdeep is experienced in representing parents in care proceedings, and has closely worked with some of our most vulnerable clients.

Bushra Darr is a solicitor who represents parents in care proceedings. Bushra also attends Pre-Proceedings Meetings (PLO) where she helps parents through the initial stages of when social services first get involved. Bushra has experience in dealing with cases involving neglect, domestic abuse and addiction.

Our High Wycombe Office Address

Suite F4 The Old Registry

20 Amersham Hill
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP13 6NZ
[email protected] | 01494 418628

Meetings can be arranged at our High Wycombe office or virtually.

Where are care proceedings heard?

Care proceedings involving families in High Wycombe and Buckinghamshire are generally heard at the Milton Keynes County Court and Family Court. The court deals with a range of family law matters, including public law children cases brought by Local Authorities.

Milton Keynes County Court and Family Court

351 Silbury Blvd
Milton Keynes
MK9 2DT