Justice For Families

http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/careproceedings.htm

Care proceedings reforms
The government is implementing key reforms to the child care proceedings system in England and Wales, following a review of the system completed in 2006. The reforms will improve the system and provide better outcomes for children while ensuring that resources are used in a timely and effective way.

Statutory guidance for local authorities
The Department for Children, Schools and Families will be publishing revised guidance for local authorities commencing care proceedings in early January 2008. The current version of the guidance is available from its website:

Children's Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 1: Court Orders

The Welsh Assembly will be publishing the guidance for Welsh local authorities in late January 2008. The guidance will come into force in April 2008.

Public law outline
The Public Law Outline will replace the existing Protocol for Judicial Case Management in Public Law Children Act Cases. The President of the Family Division expects to make the final version of the Public Law Outline and the accompanying Practice Direction available in late January 2008. The Public Law Outline will come into effect in April 2008.

Draft Public Law Outline, Children's Act Cases

Inter-agency training
Children Law UK is delivering inter-agency training on behalf of the Care Proceedings Programme. Booking information and 'train the trainer' guidance packs are available from the Children Law UK website:

Public Law Outline training

Pre-proceedings advice
The Legal Services Commission has made non-means-tested legal advice available to parents, or those with parental responsibility, once a local authority has advised them of its intention to commence care proceedings. Guidance for legal practitioners on this new level of family assistance is available on the Legal Services Commission website:

Pre-proceedings legal advice


Related links
Child care proceedings

Family procedure rules

The Review of Child Care Proceedings System in England and Wales

Care Matters: Time for Change


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© Crown Copyright Page last updated on 11 January 2008