Q: I have received a letter from my local authority inviting me to a ‘public law outline meeting’. Is this as serious as it sounds, and what do I need to do?
A: A public law outline meeting, also known as a Letter before Proceedings meeting, is a meeting triggered by the Local Authority due to them having concerns about your child(ren) or their welfare.
You may have received the letter because your family is already involved in a Child Protection, Child in Need or Care and Support process, or it could be the first time your family has received contact from the Local Authority in respect of your child(ren). Whichever the reason, the meeting is being called so that the Local Authority can share their concerns with you and let you know what steps they propose you take to reduce and address those concerns.
The letter you received should have set out the Local Authority’s concerns and you will have the opportunity to respond to them at the meeting. It is likely that you will then be given a list of tasks that you will need to complete before progress is deemed to have been made and the case can be stepped down from the process. This process is usually the last step the Local Authority will take before issuing an application to the court in respect of your child(ren).
It is important that you get legal advice before the meeting. A type of Legal Aid is available in cases like yours, so seek advice from a solicitor who deals with Legal Aid matters and practices in public law proceedings or public family law matters. They can also attend this and any subsequent meetings with you. Failing to attend the meeting could be viewed as an unwillingness to engage with the process and could raise additional concerns the Local Authority already have, so take the letter seriously, keep it safe, and show it to a solicitor immediately.
This question has been answered by Mari Sherrington, a Solicitor with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website www.ghplegal.com and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194
