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Our team of child care lawyers have years of experience in guiding clients through complex child care cases which is backed by a top tier Legal 500 ranking and membership of the Law Society’s Children Panel. The team includes:
Resolving disputes with local authority & social services
Where local authorities and social services are involved in child care matters, family emotions can run high. However, acting in the best interests of the child or children is the most important thing. If you are worried that local authorities are not doing what’s best for the child, seeking expert legal advice can help ensure the issue is swiftly resolved.
We understand that as a parent, grandparent or guardian, you are likely to know your child the best, including understanding their needs and preferences. To speak to our team about how we can help you to best protect your child, contact us today.
What we can help you with
With years of experience in supporting families through legal issues relating to children and local authorities, our dedicated team of child care solicitors can help with:
- Resolving disputes over where a child/children should live
- Deciding who a child should or should not see
- Making important health, education and wellbeing decisions
- Applying for orders, including Child Residence Orders and Placement Orders
- Representing you in child care cases
- Making official complaints against a local authority’s provision for children
- Advising on what the legal duties of the local authority are, including what will happen with the information they hold about you and your family and applying for disclosure
- Guidance through the adoption process
No matter the circumstances of the issue you’re facing, our team believes that when it comes to the care of children, no problem is too small. We handle every case with the same level of care and confidentiality, ensuring the child’s best interests, legal rights and future are safeguarded at all times.
Supporting the whole family
Our specialist child care solicitors work closely with our family law team, providing holistic advice for the entire family. We understand that every family is different, which is why we take the time to really get to know your individual situation as well as your desired outcomes. From this understanding, we tailor an approach for you which aims to achieve these if we believe that they are also in the best interest of the children.
Don’t just take our word for it…
Our highly-experienced department has a tier one Legal 500 ranking and Muctar Johal, head of the department has also been recognised as a leading individual for many years running.
At Smith Partnership, Muctar Johal ‘leads his team by example’ and is a renowned figure in children law.
Muctar Johal leads his team by example. His advocacy is exceptional. He is calm and unflappable. His ability to digest complicated medical reports is phenomenal.
The breadth of experience and knowledge within the family team make it the go to firm within the area for advice on complex legal issues.
Muctar Johal is quite simply exceptional. On the very rare occasions he does not have the answer to a complex legal issue, he will undertake thorough research and you can be sure you are getting the best advice.
The Legal 500, 2023
Why Choose Smith Partnership?
In complex and emotional situations, we know just how valuable clear and practical advice is - which is why we pride ourselves on always being straight-talking. We ensure that any communication is easy to understand and jargon-free so that you are clear about your position and options at all times.
Based in offices in Derby, Leicester, Burton upon Trent, Swadlincote and Stoke on Trent, our team is accessible, responsive and always willing to go above and beyond to protect your family, especially where there are children involved. Our dedication to this level of client care and expertise in this particular field is backed by our membership of the Law Society’s Children Panel.
FAQs
What is Parental Responsibility?
All mothers and some fathers have legal rights and responsibilities for their children, known as Parental Responsibility. It means that they have a duty to provide a home for their children and protect them and maintain them. Examples include:
- Choosing what school the children attend
- Agreeing to medical treatment
- Naming the child and agreeing to a change of name
- Ensuring that the children are supported financially
A mother always has Parental Responsibility. A father will only have it if he is married to the mother or is named on the child’s birth certificate as from 1st December 2003. Fathers can apply for Parental Responsibility if they do not have it.
If the Local Authority shares Parental Responsibility with you, it does not mean that you lose your parental rights, but they are shared. Under a Care Order, the Local Authority can sometimes exercise their shared parental rights over your parental rights, if necessary, to meet your child’s welfare.
What is a Sc20 Agreement?
The Social Worker might ask you if you agree to your children being placed with a family member or in foster care before they make an application for a care order. If you do agree, then you can withdraw your agreement at any time and ask for your children to be returned to your care. The Local Authority have to do this, or they may make an urgent application to the court for a Care Order.
If you agree to a Sc20 placement, it shows that you are willing to engage and work with Social Services and it will be recognised that you are willing to put your children’s needs before your own.
