Care proceedings are when a social worker has deemed it right to look at the welfare of a child and then ask the courts to make a decision on how best to make arrangements to ensure that the child is looked after correctly and safely. This will be led by the social work department of the local authority and all cases of this will vary depending on a wide range of factors.
Most care proceedings should be completed within 26 weeks, although in rare cases they can go on for longer than this – this will be decided on by the judge, and they will only make this decision if they think that more time is required to make a fair decision on the matter.
Local authorities always have the child’s best interests at heart and wherever possible, will want to keep them with their families, and this can sometimes mean giving the family additional support. However, there are cases where it is not possible for the child to stay with a family – for example if they are at risk of abuse or neglect for example and this is when they will be moved into foster care.
In care proceedings, it is crucial to make sure that the correct decision is made with the child’s best interests at the heart of it, and this is why sometimes it can take longer, as time is needed to assess everything thoroughly and to gather as much evidence to present to the judge as possible.
Of course, these cases are always very emotionally charged, and having the right professionals work on these cases is essential – as well as the social work team, a solicitor like this family law solicitors Gloucester based firm https://deeandgriffin.co.uk/personal-legal-services/family-law-solicitors/gloucester and the judge will all be working to protect the child and make a decision that is right for them and their needs.
Going through this process also means that plans can be put in place to give help and support to the child and the family. Social workers can work with the family as well as the child to help and support them, with a view to keeping good contact and relationships, helping the child to thrive and to help the family to work towards being reunited if it is decided that the child is to be taken into the care of the local authority.