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When social services (referred to as children’s services in care proceedings) become involved with your family, it can feel overwhelming and frightening. But you don’t have to face it alone.
Delivering mainstream legal services in the North East
DMA Law’s child protection solicitors provide urgent, practical help to protect your rights and keep your family together. We understand how stressful this situation is, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our experienced team offers clear advice, emergency legal support, and Legal Aid for qualifying parents and carers. With DMA Law on your side, you’ll have trusted experts fighting for your family’s future—quickly, confidentially, and without judgement.
Social services may become involved with your family if someone is worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing or if a child is experiencing particular behaviours which make their needs difficult to manage. Common reasons include:
It’s important to remember that children’s services getting in touch does not mean you’ve done something wrong. Their main role is to keep children safe and help families find support.
If you are contacted by children’s services, early legal advice is essential. Speaking to a solicitor as soon as possible gives you more options and helps protect your rights from the start.
Yes—if children’s services become involved with your family, you should always seek legal advice as early as possible. A solicitor can help you understand your rights, respond appropriately, and avoid mistakes that could affect your family’s future.
Delays in getting legal help can limit your options and make it harder to keep your children at home or influence important decisions. We offer emergency appointments and apply for Legal Aid for parents and carers in child protection cases, so you can get the urgent support you need without worrying about cost. We can also assess whether you maybe eligible for Legal Help.
Contact us as soon as you are contacted by children’s services. Early advice gives you the best chance of a positive outcome.
DMA Law provides expert support and legal defence for families facing involvement from social services. Whatever your situation, our team stands by you from the first contact to the final resolution.
If you receive a letter or call from children’s services, we’ll help you respond quickly and calmly. Our team support you even through early processes such as child protection conferences – providing you with early vital advice so you can respond to any concerns before the case reaches court.
The Public Law Outline (PLO) process is often the step before court proceedings. There are rules set out which state, where possible, children’s services should attempt to work alongside families outside of the court arena in an attempt to resolve any concerns without drastic intervention. We explain every stage, attend PLO meetings with you, and provide legal advice designed to prevent matters from escalating to court whenever possible.
Funding is readily available under a service called Legal Help for those who are parents or hold parental responsibility for the child concerned.
If your case goes to court, DMA Law offers urgent representation for care proceedings, emergency protection orders, and supervision orders and more.
We provide strong advocacy at every hearing, ensuring you, your children, and any other carers have full support from start to finish. We have a wide range of qualified solicitors and access to local Chambers for representation by a Barrister in particular cases where either we are unable to personally attend or your case requires additional advice and support from a qualified Family Law Barrister.
Our team’s aim is to keep your family together whenever it is safe to do so. We negotiate practical solutions (such as children staying with relatives, safety plans and protective Orders) or help you understand and use Section 20 agreements. We make sure your rights and wishes are respected at all times.
If children’s services are involved with your family, the court may be asked to make one of several types of orders. Each has a different purpose and effect:
With decades of experience representing parents and carers in child protection and care proceedings, DMA Law has earned a trusted reputation for providing expert legal advice, strong representation, and compassionate support to families across the North East.
Committed to best practice and sensitive, constructive solutions.
Ensuring everyone can access expert legal help.
Our team has several solicitors who are members of the children panel, an additional accreditation for those with a particular skill and specialism in care proceedings
Local support when you need it most.
We listen, guide, and never blame.
Help available within 24 hours for critical cases.
Choose DMA Law for immediate, expert help. Whenever your family needs support.
You have the right to be informed about any concerns, to attend meetings, and to have your views heard by children’s services and the Family Court. You can have a solicitor, or another member of our team, represent you at every stage, and you must be given copies of any important documents or reports about your child. You also have the right to challenge decisions and to apply for Legal Aid if you qualify. Early legal advice helps you protect your family and ensure your rights are respected.
A child protection conference is a meeting where social workers, teachers, health professionals, and sometimes police discuss concerns about a child’s safety or welfare. Parents or carers are invited to share their views and hear the concerns directly. The meeting may result in a Child Protection Plan, which sets out steps to keep the child safe. You can bring a supporter with you for guidance and reassurance.
A PLO letter is a formal notice from the local authority, warning that children’s services may start court proceedings to protect your child. It invites you to a “pre-proceedings” or PLO meeting, where you can discuss concerns and try to avoid court action. If you receive a PLO letter, contact a solicitor immediately—Legal Aid (referred to as Legal Help) is usually available, and early advice gives you the best chance to keep your family together.
In most cases, children’s services cannot remove a child from home without a court order. However, in emergencies where a child is at immediate risk, they can apply for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) or ask you to agree to a temporary arrangement (Section 20 Agreement). You should always seek legal advice before agreeing to your child leaving home or signing any agreement provided to you by children’s services.
Most parents and some carers involved in child protection or care proceedings automatically qualify for Legal Aid, regardless of income. Legal Aid covers your solicitor’s advice, representation at meetings and court hearings, and all legal costs. One of our solicitors can explain your eligibility and help you apply quickly.
If you miss meetings with children’s services, you may lose the chance to influence decisions or share your side of the story. The local authority may see this as a lack of cooperation, which can affect the outcome of your case. Always attend meetings if possible and take a solicitor or supporter with you for guidance and protection. If you are unable to attend any meetings, we urge you to speak with the social worker immediately or ask for our assistance in relaying this to the local authority on your behalf.
If children’s services have contacted you or you’re worried about your child’s safety, get legal advice as early as possible. There’s no judgment—just practical, confidential help to protect your family.
DMA Law offers urgent appointments, Legal Aid for qualifying cases, and expert guidance at every stage. Don’t face this alone—speak to one of our trusted child protection solicitor’s today.
56 Duke Street, Darlington, DL3 7AN
SRA 635837 (registered Office)