It can be stressful when Social Services have become involved with your family, but obtaining legal advice at an early stage often makes a significant difference. 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 the process.
Our Family Law team advises and represents parents, grandparents, children, and other family members in Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton & Hove and throughout East and West Sussex. Led by Rebecca Eleady-Cole, we regularly assist clients facing some of the most difficult and stressful situations they will ever experience, 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 inviting you to a Meeting Before Action (MBA)?
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 invites you to attend a formal meeting, often referred to as a Meeting Before Action (MBA).
Effectively this is to the last chance to avoid care proceedings at court. Obtaining legal advice before attending an MBA 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 MBA 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 Eastbourne Care Proceedings Solicitors Can Help
Our Eastbourne team is led by Rebecca Eleady-Cole who is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel.
From the initial Letter prior to the Meeting Before Action (MBA) 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 MBA 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 Change Grow Live (CGL), STAR in Eastbourne and Hastings, the Recovery Café, RISE in Brighton, the Sanctuary in Hastings and the East Sussex Refuge, 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.
Rebecca Eleady-Cole is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, and she can represent children through CAFCASS in care proceedings. Rebecca is regularly instructed by Children’s Guardians and conducts her own advocacy.
Wendy Still is a Consultant Legal Executive with Litigation Practice Rights. Wendy qualified in 1999, and she was previously a Partner in a local firm. Wendy also previously taught the CILEX Course at the Sussex Downs College. Wendy has in the past worked for a Local Authority and she can therefore offer direct insight when representing parents in care proceedings.
Our Eastbourne Office Address
Chantry House
22 Upperton Road
Eastbourne
BN21 1BF
[email protected] | 01323 430430
Meetings can be arranged at our Eastbourne office or virtually.
Where are care proceedings heard?
Care proceedings involving families in this area are heard at the Brighton County Court, Hastings County Court or the Worthing County Court. The court deals with a range of family law matters, including public law children cases brought by Local Authorities.
Brighton County Court
William Street
Brighton and Hove
BN2 0RF
Hastings County Court
The Law Courts
Bohemia Road
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 1QX
Worthing County Court
The Law Courts
Christchurch Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 1JD
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