Social services
2 answers /
Last post: 25/01/2023 at 2:17 pm
Hi I'm looking for some advice I have a social worker coming out Monday about my 4 year old but this is the 3rd time they have had referral since she been born and this is 2nd time in 2 years
I just want to now will it go to plo or will they do something else like child protection or child in need has last time they was involved it went plo but not all the way to court has they closed case when my daughters diagnosis came through but I'm just scared that because of before they might go straight to plo and advice would be grateful or anyone that's been through this thanks
Hi Alison
I’m sorry to hear you’re worried about Social Services involvement. It is completely understandable especially when you have been in the process before. I’m a family lawyer and hope I can help.
You don’t say why the referral has been made and I can’t second guess what steps they would take but it is really important that you work openly and honestly with the social worker when they arrive. This makes it less likely that they will escalate to PLO (the pre-court stage of Social Services’ involvement) as they tend only to do that in cases where they don’t think they can work with a family or where work has not been successful. As you may be aware from your previous experience, if you get to PLO stage and if they did do this straight away (which would be unusual and only in really serious cases) you will be able to get legal aid so a solicitor can represent you and advise you fully.
I wish you all the best and hope that the meeting goes well.
All the best
Emma
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