Childcare

Sometimes a child's welfare can become a cause of great concern. Steps may need to be taken to protect or remove them from a harmful situation. Whether you are their natural or adopted parents, extended family or have a vested interest in that child's welfare, we work with you to achieve the best arrangements for them.

IBB's Childcare team is based in Uxbridge and we deal exclusively with children’s cases. We are specialist lawyers who are members of the Association of Lawyers for Children and several individuals are on the Law Society’s Children Panel.

In addition to handling cases relating to private children matters such as residence and contact, we have extensive experience in representing children and family members in care and adoption proceedings.

Range of services

• Residence and contact
• Parental responsibility
• Prohibited Steps/Specific Issue Orders
• Applications to remove children from the jurisdiction
• Abduction
• Adoption
• Care proceedings

Elements the court takes into account 

When considering any application in respect of a child under the Children Act, the child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration. This means that the wishes and feelings of parents are secondary.

The court must also consider the following when deciding what order to make or whether to make any order at all:

• Wishes and feelings of the child in the light of his or age and understanding
• Child’s physical, emotional and educational needs
• Likely effect on the child of any change in their circumstances
• Child’s age, sex, background, any characteristics the child may have as relevant
• Any harm which the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering
• How capable each of the children’s parents, and any other person in relation to
• whom the court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting their needs
• Range of powers available to the court in the proceedings

If the local authority has issued proceedings in relation to your children you are entitled to free legal advice. Please contact IBB to arrange a meeting: email us at enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk or call us on 08456 381 381.

Whether you are a parent or a child, you can find more information below.

I am a parent and I want to find out more about care proceedings involving my child.

Public Law (Local authority involved)

• Why has the local authority issued care proceedings?
• What can the court do?
• Who will be involved in the proceedings?
• Where will my child live during the proceedings and how often will I see them?
• How long will the process take?