Care Proceedings Solicitors in Reading and Berkshire

If Social Services have become involved with your family in Reading or elsewhere in Berkshire, obtaining specialist legal advice as early as possible is crucial. Whether you have been invited to a PLO meeting, received a letter before proceedings, or are already facing care proceedings before the Family Court, our team can advise you on your rights, explain the process, and represent you throughout the case.

Our Reading team is led by Saifalee Doolooa-Collins. We represent parents, grandparents, children and other family members across Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, Slough, Maidenhead and the wider Berkshire area. We regularly assist families facing allegations of neglect, emotional harm, physical abuse, substance misuse concerns and other issues that can lead to Social Services seeking court intervention.

Legal Aid is automatically available to parents involved in the PLO process or care proceedings, regardless of income or savings.

Have You Received a Letter Before Proceedings?

A Letter Before Proceedings (PLO letter) means that Social Services are considering asking the Family Court to become involved in your child’s care. It is often the final opportunity to address their concerns before care proceedings are issued.

Families across Berkshire may receive a PLO letter from Reading Borough Council, Wokingham Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council, West Berkshire Council, Slough Borough Council, or the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The letter will usually explain the concerns raised and invite you to attend a formal PLO meeting.

Obtaining legal advice before attending a PLO meeting is extremely important. We can explain the concerns being raised, help you prepare for the meeting, and advise you on the practical steps that may reduce the likelihood of court proceedings being issued.

Are the Concerns Raised by Social Services Fair?

Receiving a Letter Before Proceedings can feel overwhelming, particularly if you believe that Social Services have misunderstood your situation or do not have the full picture. In many cases, there may be important background information, recent changes in circumstances, or positive steps that have not been fully reflected in their assessment.

Our role is to examine the concerns being raised, advise you on how they are likely to be viewed by the Family Court, and ensure that your response is properly presented. Where concerns are grounded in facts, we can advise on the practical steps that may help address them. Where concerns are unfair, exaggerated or based on incomplete information, we can challenge them on your behalf.

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 Family Court will consider the concerns raised by Social Services and decide what arrangements are in the child’s best interests. Depending on the circumstances, the Local Authority may apply for orders that allow it to become more involved in a child’s care, including in some cases seeking the removal of a child from their parents.

These situations can be extremely stressful for families, which is why obtaining specialist legal advice at an early stage is so important.

How Our Reading Care Proceedings Solicitors Can Help

Our Reading team includes solicitors with decades of experience representing parents and family members in care proceedings throughout Berkshire. We understand how these cases are approached by both Local Authorities and the Family Court.

From the initial Letter Before Proceedings through to any final hearing, we can guide you through the process, advise you at each stage of the case, and ensure that your position is properly put before the court.

Our team has detailed knowledge of Social Services’ legal obligations and will ensure the correct procedures are followed, challenging Social Services where they are not. We assess whether the concerns raised meet the legal principles a court would need to consider. Having legal representation is important to ensure your rights, and those of your family, are properly protected.

Where it will assist your case, we can also help connect you with local support services, including organisations such as Cranstoun and Berkshire Women’s Aid.

Saifalee Doolooa-Collins and Susanne Seaton are members of the Law Society’s Children Panel and regularly represent children through CAFCASS in care proceedings.

Our Reading Office

9 Greyfriars Road
Reading
RG1 1NU

0118 902 7130 | [email protected]

Meetings can be arranged at our Reading office or remotely by video call.

Where Are Reading Care Proceedings Heard?

Care proceedings involving families in Reading and Berkshire are usually heard at Reading Family Court, although some cases may be dealt with by the Family Court sitting at Slough depending on the circumstances.

The court is responsible for determining applications brought by Local Authorities concerning the welfare and care of children.

Reading County Court and Family Court

160-163 Friar Street
Reading
RG1 1HE