A concern or request for help
Information may reach children’s services from a family member, school, health professional, police or another service. The first question is what help or response the child and family may need.
First guide
Children’s services in plain English
A calm overview of common stages and terms in England. Your family’s route may be different, so use this as a starting map—not legal advice about your case.
Before you begin
Three things worth knowing.
Ask what stage you are at.The same words can feel like a blur when nobody explains where you are in the process.
Get important points in writing.Ask for the concerns, expected changes, support offered, decisions and review dates clearly recorded.
Take legal advice when court is mentioned.General information cannot replace advice from a solicitor who has seen your papers.
The broad route
Not every family goes through every stage.
Support may step up or down as needs and risks change. Ask your social worker what the current concerns are, what decision has been made and what happens next.
Assessment
A social worker may speak with the child, parents and relevant professionals to understand strengths, needs, worries and risk. Ask what is being assessed, the expected timescale and how your views will be recorded.
Family help or Child in Need support
Where support is needed, a plan may set out the work, services and changes expected. Ask for the plan in writing, who is responsible for each action and when progress will be reviewed.
Child-protection enquiries and conference
If there is reasonable cause to suspect significant harm, a strategy discussion and section 47 enquiries may follow. An initial child-protection conference can then decide whether a child-protection plan is needed.
Pre-proceedings (often called PLO)
If serious concerns remain and the council is considering court, parents may receive a formal letter before proceedings and be invited to a meeting. Get a children-law solicitor immediately; eligible parents can receive legal help for this stage.
Care proceedings
The council asks the Family Court to make decisions about the child. The court considers the evidence, the child’s welfare and what orders, if any, are necessary. A solicitor should explain the process and give advice about your case.
A small glossary
Words you may hear
- Child in Need (section 17)
- A child who needs services to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development, or whose health or development is likely to be significantly impaired without services, or who is disabled.
- Section 47 enquiry
- An enquiry led by the local authority when there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.
- Child-protection conference
- A multi-agency meeting that shares information, considers risk and decides whether a child needs a child-protection plan.
- Core group
- The smaller group of family members and professionals responsible for developing and progressing a child-protection plan.
- PLO / pre-proceedings
- The formal stage before possible care proceedings, when the council sets out its concerns and the changes it says are needed.
- Care proceedings
- Family Court proceedings in which a local authority applies for a care or supervision order.
Before your next meeting
Write down these questions.
- What exactly are you worried could happen to my child?
- What evidence or information is that concern based on?
- What changes do you need to see, and how will progress be measured?
- What help or reasonable adjustments are available to make those changes achievable?
- Who is responsible for each action, and when will the plan be reviewed?
- How can I correct a factual error or make sure my view is recorded?
Check the official guidance
Reliable places to go deeper
This guide was prepared with reference to current guidance for England. Local procedures can differ, and national guidance changes.
This is general information, not legal advice.
If you receive a letter before proceedings, court papers or advice that your child may be removed, contact a solicitor specialising in children law urgently.