When the Local Authority seek to remove a child from a parents care, the parents will be asked for details of any family/friends whom they wish to be assessed as potential short term and/or long term carer for the child.
It is important that you provide details of any persons to be assessed as soon as possible to avoid delay.
Before a child can be placed with someone, Social Services will want to undertake police checks and an assessment as to their suitability as a potential carer. Consideration will be given to their home environment, their availability ie do they work and how they would propose to care for the child.
If a child is placed elsewhere during Court proceedings this does not mean that this is a permanent placement. Only once the Court has decided what is considered to be in the child’s best interest with regards to where and with whom that child should live with long term will the placement be final.
It is important to seek advice sooner rather than later if you have social services involvement with your family and they are looking to remove your children from your care. Contact our care department at Swain & Co on 02392 492 967 who are able to offer advice and assistance in relation to this.
Care Department