Child Protection
Child protection specialists
As child protection specialists, we understand the urgency required to safeguard vulnerable children from harm. Our dedicated team’s extensive expertise means there is very little we haven’t encountered.
We provide trusted legal support to one of the UK’s largest local authorities, drawing on our profound sector knowledge, strong public service heritage, and competitive pricing. We are committed to delivering sound and accurate legal advice with professionalism and empathy, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Building strong partnerships
We believe the only way to achieve better outcomes for children is by working together. From empowering social workers through training, to close cooperation with partners across the Family Justice System, we are dedicated to working with you to address the immediate needs of at-risk children.
Our Head of Group, Helen Osborn, co-chairs the Kent Family Justice Board, which fosters close working relationships with all stakeholders working within the family justice system both nationally and locally in Kent.
How can we help?
Adoption Law
We advise agency decision-makers in relation to best interests decisions for children, conduct placement order and adoption order proceedings, assist with post-adoption work and adoption placement disruptions. We also delivering regular training to prospective adopters.
Advocacy in all Family Courts
We represent our clients at contested hearings, multi-day final hearings, fact finding hearings appeals and out of hours applications. A large portion of our advocacy is dealt with in-house, either by case-holding lawyers or our specialist in-house advocates. We also have strong links with chambers who are recognised as world leaders in child protection law.
Care Proceedings and Pre Proceedings
Case managing all aspects of care proceedings and pre-proceedings from commencement to conclusion. We advise on all limbs of threshold that feature in pre-proceedings and care proceedings cases including matters where neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse or children who are beyond parental control are the prevalent feature.
Care Provisions
For older children and young adults as well as leaving care provisions for young persons who are leaving the care system.
Deprivation of Liberty
For young persons involved in proceedings within the National DOLS Court or under the inherent jurisdiction in care proceedings.
Discreet Areas of Law
We have a wealth of experience in dealing with more discrete areas of law such as child sexual exploitation prevention, forced marriage and female genital mutilation protection order application, fabricated induced illness and parental alienation.
Training
We have developed and deliver a major training programme for social workers and other child protection professionals, helping you to understand the court process, improve your ability to draft documentation and give evidence in court.
Secure Accommodation
We have detailed knowledge of assisting in our client in obtaining secure accommodation orders, which have proved vital in protecting young persons from harm.
Wardship
We advise and represent our clients within wardship proceedings lodged in the High Court.
Our team
