Appendix 2 - Template Letter of Issue

Appendix 2 - Template Letter of Issue

(Annex B, Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Court Orders and Pre-Proceedings (2014))

Letter of Issue

IMPORTANT!

PLEASEDONOTIGNORETHISLETTER-TAKEITTOASOLICITORNOW

SENTBY[HAND/RECORDEDDELIVERY]

Dear [parentand/orfullname(s) ofall people withparentalresponsibility]

RE: [NAMEOFLOCALAUTHORITY]CONCERNSABOUT[INSERTNAME(S)OF CHILD(REN)]

Iamwritingtoyouonbehalfof[nameofLA]Children’sServices.ThereasonIamwritingtoyouisthat[InsertnameofLocalAuthority]isextremelyworriedaboutyourcareof[name(s)ofchild/(ren)].Wesetoutourconcernsin[referencetotheLetterbeforeProceedings/pre-proceedingsmeeting/childprotectioncaseconference/anysocialworkmeetings]–acopyisattached.Wehavetriedtoworkwithyoutohelpyoutoimproveyour care of[name(s)ofchild/ren]but things have notchanged sufficiently.

IamthereforewritingtoletyouknowthatwearegoingtoCourttotrytomakesure[nameofchild(ren)]is/aresafe.Thiscouldmeanthat[nameofchild(ren)]willberemovedfromyourcare.YouwillsoonreceiveacopyofourapplicationtotheCourtandother importantdocuments,which setout the key issues.

WHATYOUMUSTDONOW:

1. Get a solicitor:Itisreally importantthatyougetadvice froma solicitor whospecialisesinfamilylaw as soonaspossible.Theywillhelpyouunderstandthesituation andadvise you aboutyourrightsand youroptions.Ifyou givethemthisletter youwillnothave to pay.

In case youdo nothave a solicitor,wehave sentwiththis letter a listoflocal solicitorswho workwithchildrenand families.Theyareallindependentfrom Children’sServices.

InformationyourSolicitor willneed is:

LocalAuthorityLegalContact: Name,Address Telephone:

2. Get yourwider familyinvolved:Our concernsabout[name(s)ofchild(ren)]arevery serious.IftheCourtdecidesyou cannotcare for yourchild(ren),wewill firsttryand placethem withoneofyourrelatives or a person orpersons close to yourchild(ren),ifitisbestfor your child(ren) todo this.You should therefore letusknowimmediately whoin yourfamily mightbe ableto care foryour child(ren).Pleasealsoask themto getin touchwith usdirectly.

Yourssincerely

[name]

TeamManagerLocaloffice/service

cc SocialWorker[name]

LocalAuthority in house LegalTeam

Enc: Listofsolicitor firmswhohavemembersoftheLawSociety’sChildrenLaw

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