1: Why do I have to go to court?
The local authority is worried about the care your child is receiving and believe they might be subject to significant harm. You will have an opportunity to comment on the Social Worker’s evidence, however, if the Court accepts that there are reasonable grounds to believe that your child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm, then the Court may make an Interim Care Order (your child may be placed in foster care) or an Interim Supervision Order – where they may remain with you or in the care of a relative.
2: Who will be at court?
You must come to Court and you will be represented by your Solicitor or sometimes a Barrister. The Court will appoint a Children’s Guardian – who is an experienced Social Worker – independent of the Local Authority and has the job to advise the Court about what is in the best interests of your child.
3: What will happen in court?
Some Court appointments will be important decision making hearings and others will be more administrative. Your Solicitor will explain what is going to happen at each hearing. The Court tries to ensure final arrangements are made for children within 6 months. During this time, there will be people trying to find out why the child may be at risk and what can be done to keep them safe, which may involve working with parents or carers in some way. Parents or carers may be assessed, as may wider family members or friends in case the child is not able to return home.
4: How long will it take?
The Court will decide how long the proceedings are going to take, but you should expect no less than 6 months before the Court will make a final decision.
5: Will I see my children if they are placed in foster care or a family placement?
The Social Workers must arrange contact to enable your children to see you even though they are living with foster carers or with a family member as long as it is in your child’s best interests. Often, you will have to go to a centre at which the contact will take place. Your contact is likely to be supervised i.e. there will be somebody with you and watching you whilst you have contact with your children.
6: What must I do now?
The Court is going to be making important decisions about whether your children can return to your care or remain in your care. It is important that you do all you can to show that you can look after your children well enough.
You must:
- Attend all contact meetings with your children and attend on time.
- Cooperate fully with all of the assessments.
- Attend all the Court hearings, keep in touch with your Social Worker and keep in touch with your Solicitor.
