If Children’s Services are involved with your grandchildren, please contact us IMMEDIATELY.

Grandparent Rights – when children’s services are involved

If you are a grandparent and children’s services become involved with your grandchildren then you may be entitled to be assessed for the right to care for your grandchildren.

Grandparent Rights – care proceedings

If a local authority is worried about the safety or welfare of a child they may ask the court to make a Care Order (or ‘interim’ care order). Interim care orders can last for eight weeks initially, after which time they will be reviewed by the court every four weeks. Sometimes a local authority may also apply to the court to have a child placed for adoption.

A care order is an order which places a child under the care of the local authority; this is otherwise known as a child ‘being in care’. This does not mean that the parents no longer have parental responsibility but the parent’s wishes can be overridden if the local authority believes it is in the best interests of the child. However, the local authority must consult with the parent first.

When can a child be taken in care?

A child is only taken into care when the court is satisfied that:

• The child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm
• The harm, or its likelihood, results from the care the child is receiving
• The child is beyond the ability of a parent to control
• The child is being neglected (which includes failure to seek medical attention when needed, not providing adequate food or drink and not keeping the child clean)
• The child has been, or is likely, to be abused – either by their parents, carers or others (includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse)

What will happen if the local authority is worried about a child?

The first thing the local authority will do is ask the family court to make a temporary court order, called an ‘interim care order’. Then the local authority will investigate the child’s welfare and suggest a ‘care plan’. The care plan outlines what they think should happen to the child, including whether they think the child should be taken into care or stay in the family. The care plan will be given to the family court to help it make the final decision about what should happen to the child.

If you have further questions regarding care proceedings or if you require legal advice about care proceedings please contact Grandparent Rights by ringing 0161 359 3880 or 01204 377600 or contact us by email enquiries@afglaw.co.uk today.