Care Proceedings

Care proceedings are legal processes initiated in family courts when there are concerns about a child's safety and well-being, typically involving neglect or abuse. These proceedings can lead to a local authority seeking to take a child into care, usually when it's believed that the child's home environment is not safe. The court evaluates evidence, hears from social workers, parents, and other parties, and makes decisions about the child's future, including whether they should remain with their family or be placed in foster care or another safe environment. The child's best interests are the primary focus.