text: 1.5.2 Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
  For applications for Emergency Protection Orders, see Emergency Protection Orders Procedure.
  This chapter was amended in March 2019 to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). (See Section 9, Use of Experts).
  In Section 2, Pre-Proceedings, additional information was added in relation to parents who lack capacity and added links to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note, and a relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability (see Section 2, Pre-Proceedings).
  The above link was updated to the Social Work Evidence Template.
  Assessments and meeting assessed needs (see Statutory Assessments (Child and Family Assessments) Procedure).
  Family Group Conferences and the identification and assessment of family and friends placements, if appropriate. (See Family and Friends Care Policy - to follow);
  Helping families to engage early - this engagement should include early, direct and clear written communication with the parents, setting out the local authority's specific concerns, outlining what needs to be done to address those concerns and indicating the possibility of proceedings if the situation does not improve within an identified timescale. It is important that throughout this period, the child (subject to his or her age and understanding) is kept aware of what is being proposed and that his or her views are heard. This may include by way of an Advocate for children and/or for parents where there are issues of Capacity. See also:
  Newcastle Safeguarding Children Board Procedures Manual, Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities Procedure;
  President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability;
  From previous judgments it is established that: 'At an interim stage the removal of children from their parents is not to be sanctioned unless the child's safety requires interim protection.' (See also, Emergency Protection Orders Procedure, 'X Council v B Guidance'.)
  4.1 Good Practice Steps
  Family members and relationships especially the primary carers and significant adults/other children;
  Assessments which may be commissioned by Children's Social Care in order to inform the Court during ongoing Care Proceedings include:
  Independent psychological assessment;
  Independent psychiatric assessment;
  Residential family assessment;
  Risk assessment of adults who pose a sexual risk to children;
  Clinical assessment of parents who misuse substances;
  Risk assessment for children/young people who may pose a sexual risk to others.
  A discussion must be held with Legal Services at the earliest opportunity if there is any indication that the Court will give leave for an assessment to be pursued;
  The costs for such an assessment may be paid for equally between all parties;
  An Aim Assessment should inform whether a further specialist assessment is required. This will then be considered following discussion with the Team Manager and the Service Manager;
  Other than assessments directed by the Court, no commitment of expenditure should be made prior to consultation with Service Manager.