Childcare & Care Proceedings

Our childcare team specialises in a wide array of child protection matters including child protection conferences, legal meetings and Care proceedings before the family Courts. 

Our team has a extensive experience in dealing with complex cases involving non-accidental injury, domestic violence, substance misuse and neglect and regularly advises in the Family Proceedings, County and High Courts. 

Parents/Grandparents and other family members

Our dedicated Childcare Team is headed by Andy Pitt, partner who has worked in the field for over 30 years.  Andy has been a member of the Law Society Children Panel since its inception. 

Sadly, there are times when domestic problems occur and Children’s Services become involved to try and protect children from potential risk of harm.  Child Protection Conferences and legal meetings may be convened or Court proceedings issued. 

As a result, our Childcare Team works to provide sympathetic and invaluable expert support and advice in times of crisis.  We regularly advise in respect of the following:-

• Child Protection Conferences
• Voluntary accommodation
• PLO (Notice of intention to issue care proceedings) meetings
• Emergency Protection Orders
• Care and Supervision Proceedings
• Special Guardianship Orders
• Secure Accommodation

Our dedicated team have experience in dealing with a wide range of cases from and including issues relating to alcohol and drugs misuse by parents to allegations of non-accidental injury and sexual abuse. 

We can provide advice and representation in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court and High Court and regularly take instructions from parents and grandparents of children involved in care and supervision proceedings. 

Guardians

Our experienced Childcare Team frequently represent Court appointed Guardians in both private and public law Children Act proceedings. 

Andy Pitt and Vanessa Cowlard are experienced advocates and are members of the Children Panel who regularly advise Guardians on a variety of issues from Emergency Protection Orders, Care proceedings and applications for secure accommodation. 

Both Andy and Vanessa have vast experience in dealing with complex non-accidental injury cases which often involve large amounts of medical evidence before the High Court.