What is the Public Law Outline process and how can we help?
The Public Law Outline, also referred to as the ‘PLO’ or ‘pre-proceedings’, can be an intimidating and difficult process to understand at times. In this article, we explain what the PLO process is and how Straw & Pearce Solicitors can help you.
What is the Public Law Outline (PLO) process?
The Public Law Outline (PLO) process occurs when Children’s Services (Social Care) are seriously worried about a child’s safety and are considering making an application to the Court. It is essentially a formal warning to the parents that Social Care have considered issuing Court proceedings in respect of their children, and are giving the parent(s) the opportunity to work with them and improve the situation, with a view of avoiding Court proceedings.
If Social Care decide to start the PLO process in relation to your children, they will send you a letter making you aware of this decision. The letter will set out their concerns, the changes they are asking you to make, and will invite you a pre-proceedings meeting.
Legal Representation
Upon receipt of the pre-proceedings letter, you are entitled to automatic and free Legal Aid to consult a family law solicitor. You should contact a solicitor immediately upon receiving this letter, who will advise you in relation to the concerns and the proposed way forward.
What happens at a-proceedings meeting?
This is a formal meeting between you, the Social Work team, and your legal representatives. During the meeting, Social Care’s concerns will be discussed, along with the changes that are required to avoid the Local Authority issuing Court proceedings. You will be asked to share your views, ask questions and confirm whether or not you are willing to engage with the proposed plan.
The aim is to agree a realistic plan for your family, identifying areas of support from the family network and third-party professionals.
The agreed plan will be reviewed every 4-6 weeks and each meeting will be used to discuss any improvements made, any additional concerns raised, what work remains outstanding, and what work must continue before the pre-proceedings can come to an end.
How long does the Public Law Outline Process last?
The PLO process typically lasts 12 to 16 weeks, however can be extended if there is any outstanding work that needs to be completed. It is important to note that in the event a Social Worker believes that the risk of harm to a child is so great, the Local Authority may make the decision that the case should skip the pre-proceedings process and go straight to Court.
What happens at the end?
The outcome of the pre-proceedings will depend on the engagement and progress made by the parents. In the event that sufficient progress has been made and the Local Authority believe that the child/children are no longer at risk, the process will end with no need for Court involvement.
However, in the event that the concerns have not been addressed, or additional concerns raised, a decision will be made for the Local Authority to apply to the Family Court for a Care Order or a Supervision Order. It is important to remain aware that Court proceedings may be issued at any stage during the pre-proceedings if the concerns become so great.
It is crucial that parents engage with this process and seek professional guidance in order to sufficiently address the Local Authority’s concerns and avoid matters progressing to Court.
How we can help
If you receive a letter inviting you to a pre-proceedings meeting, it is crucial that you seek legal advice immediately. If you are a parent or person with Parental Responsibility, you will automatically be entitled to Legal Aid regardless of your income or capital.
At Straw & Pearce we understand that this process can be a daunting one for parents. Our Public Family Law Team will provide you with expert legal advice surrounding the process, the expectations of Social Care, and will represent you at each meeting to advocate on your behalf.
If you have received a letter inviting you to a pre-proceedings meeting or require advice about Social Care involvement with your family, please contact our Public Family Law Department on 01509 268 931 or email info@strawandpearce.co.uk.
