Practical Child Care Law & Practice

Introduction

This course is designed for child care lawyers, both in private practice and local authorities.

It will look at the fast-moving and difficult issues which can crop up without warning during proceedings. Thinking about these issues in advance can prevent real difficulties later in the life of a case.

There will also be opportunity for discussion, for which participation from those attending will be welcomed.

What You Will Learn

The course will reflect changes that have come about in this area of law and practice. Some key issues that will be covered will include:

• Public Law Outline 2014 - Key requirements and expectation upon practitioners
• Instructing experts - Expectations of and compliance with Part 25 FPR 2014 and s.13 Children and Families Act 2014
• Meeting the costs of experts - Avoiding getting it wrong
• Disclosure of documents - What can you send?
• Understanding Part 12 and the relevant provisions surrounding communication of information
• Intervenors and getting ready for the fact finding
• Making the right decisions in the early parts of the case
• What to do when a client is likely to be lacking capacity
• Children giving evidence
• Fact finding hearings - Preparing for such hearings
• Local authority parallel planning - What to do and steps to take, so as to avoid delay
• Ensuring that all realistic options are explored when considering plans for adoption
• Special guardianship and moving between authorities
• Issues surrounding designated local authorities