Call us on 08455 435 700
Request A Callback
Call us on 08455 435 700
Request A Callback
When social services become involved with your family, you need expert legal representation you can trust. At Fisher Jones Greenwood, our specialist care proceedings solicitors provide the skilled advocacy and compassionate support families need during these challenging times.
For advice, contact us via our online enquiry form or call 0845 543 5700.
Our experienced team provides comprehensive legal support throughout all stages of care proceedings, ensuring your rights are protected and your voice is heard.
Complete Care Proceedings Support:
Support for Extended Family Members:
Acting Quickly to Protect Your Family
Time is critical when social services become involved with your family. Our care proceedings solicitors respond promptly to ensure you receive the advice and support you need from the earliest stages of local authority involvement.
We work diligently to understand your unique circumstances, explain your options in clear terms, and develop a robust strategy that protects your interests while focusing on the welfare of your children. Our proactive approach means we’re always one step ahead, anticipating challenges and preparing strong defences for your case.
A Compassionate, Practical Approach
Our care proceedings solicitors combine exceptional legal expertise with genuine empathy and understanding. We recognise the profound stress and anxiety these situations cause families and provide a supportive service focused on achieving practical, positive outcomes.
We take time to explain complex legal processes in straightforward language, ensuring you fully understand your rights, options, and the likely outcomes at each stage of proceedings. Our clients consistently tell us they value our honest, clear communication and our commitment to keeping them informed throughout their case.
Our care proceedings solicitors are recognised across the legal profession for their expertise and client-focused approach:
We combine this recognised expertise with a sensitive, supportive approach that acknowledges the profound impact care proceedings can have on all family members. Our solicitors understand that behind every case is a family facing uncertainty, and we’re here to guide you through with skill and compassion.
With offices strategically located across Essex, including Billericay, Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, and Sudbury, and London, we are always within reach to offer tailored assistance that meets your specific needs.
Our extensive local knowledge of Family Courts and social services departments across Essex and London means we can provide guidance specific to your area, with valuable insights into local procedures, judicial approaches, and social work practices that can make a real difference to your case outcome.
For confidential advice from our specialist care proceedings solicitors, please contact us via our online enquiry form or call 0845 543 5700 for a guaranteed response.
We understand that taking the first step to reach out to a solicitor can be daunting, and we are here to make that process as smooth as possible for you. In the first instance, a member of our family team will be available to go through some initial questions with you to better understand your situation and determine your specific needs. Following this, we will arrange an appointment with one of our specialist solicitors who is best suited to assist you.
To get started, you can call us free on 0845 543 5700. For new clients, we offer an initial fixed fee meeting at £250, which includes VAT and all costs associated with initial onboarding. This meeting is designed to provide you with valuable insights and guidance tailored to your circumstances. After the meeting, we will follow up with appropriate resources and next steps to support you moving forward.
We also understand that flexibility is important, and our team offers appointments outside of usual office hours by pre-arranged remote appointment. This ensures that we can accommodate your schedule and provide the support you need at a time that is convenient for you.
For more than four decades, Fisher Jones Greenwood has provided expert legal advice to individuals and businesses throughout Essex, Suffolk, and London. Our dedicated team of solicitors is committed to delivering practical solutions for your legal matters. Contact us on 08455 435 700 or via our online enquiry form to schedule a consultation.
Request A CallbackWhat should I do if social services contact me about my children?
Seek legal advice immediately, even before any formal meetings. Early legal representation can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case. We can explain your rights, help you understand what social services are concerned about, and prepare you for meetings or interviews. The sooner you involve a solicitor, the better we can protect your position.
Will my children definitely be taken away?
Social services involvement doesn’t automatically mean children will be removed from their family. The Children Act requires local authorities to work with families to keep children safely at home whenever possible. The focus should be on supporting families to address concerns rather than removing children. We’ll help you understand the specific concerns raised and work with you to address them effectively.
Can I challenge social services' decisions?
Yes, decisions can be challenged through various channels including formal complaints procedures, pre-proceedings protocols, appeals, and Court proceedings where necessary. The key is understanding which approach is most appropriate for your circumstances and acting quickly. We can advise on the strongest strategy for challenging decisions and represent you throughout the process.
Can other family members care for my children during proceedings?
Courts generally prefer children to remain with family members when they cannot stay with parents, as this maintains important family connections. We can help grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives put themselves forward as alternative carers and support them through the assessment process. Family placements are often viewed more favourably than foster care arrangements.
What are my rights during care proceedings?
You have extensive rights including the right to legal representation (often publicly funded), to participate fully in all decisions about your children, to put forward your case and evidence, to challenge evidence presented against you, and to have your Article 8 rights to family life properly considered. We’ll ensure your voice is heard throughout the process and that all your rights are fully protected.
How long do care proceedings typically take?
The Court aims to complete care proceedings within 26 weeks, though complex cases may take longer. We work efficiently to meet all deadlines while ensuring your case is thoroughly prepared. Early preparation and prompt action on our part can help avoid unnecessary delays and achieve the best possible outcome for your family.
If you would like any further information, please contact us on 08455 435 700 or complete our online enquiry form.
We truly value and appreciate the feedback we receive from our clients, as we look to improve the services we offer on an ongoing basis
