What is the Public Law Outline (PLO) process? The latest blog by Rosie Bracher Solicitors explains what happens when you receive a letter inviting you to a PLO meeting.
When the Local Authority has concerns about the welfare of a child, they may initiate the PLO process before making an application to court to begin care proceedings. This is usually a final opportunity for the parent(s) to work on alleviating the concerns for the child before the Local Authority applies for a Care Order or Supervision Order.
The aim is that during this process, the parent will work on addressing and resolving the concerns raised and court proceedings will not be necessary. The Local Authority may not always move forward with the PLO process, in some circumstances, an application to the court can be made immediately where the risk to the child’s welfare is too great.
In all PLO or care proceedings matters, parents are entitled to Legal Aid. This means you will receive free legal advice throughout the process and representation at the PLO meetings or court matters, regardless of your financial situation. Your solicitor will apply for legal aid on your behalf, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for advice.
What does the PLO process look like?
Once the PLO process is initiated, the parent of the child in question will receive a letter which outlines the concerns raised by the Local Authority and the help received so far. There will also be a date and time for you to attend a meeting.
When you receive a letter like this, it is very important that you get in touch with a family solicitor, contact us here if you are in need of legal support.
It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to speak with your solicitor before the meeting takes place. This will be an opportunity to go through the concerns raised by the Local Authority and answer any questions you may have.
Your solicitor will attend the PLO meeting with you. Also in attendance will be the child’s Social Worker, Local Authority Solicitor and the Social Work Team Manager. There may be more people in attendance depending on the circumstances.
What happens at a PLO meeting?
The Local Authority will discuss with you why the PLO process has been initiated and talk through each concern they have raised. You will have an opportunity to respond during this meeting with the help of your solicitor.
The meeting will most likely conclude with a Written Agreement signed by the parents. This will outline a plan to address the concerns for the child, detail the expectations of the parents and include the support offered by the Local Authority. Your solicitor will be there to ensure that the Written Agreement is reasonable and that you understand the terms and agree before signing.
Once the agreement is in place, a follow up meeting will be arranged for 12 weeks’ time. If the plan has gone well, the Local Authority may decide court proceedings are no longer necessary and the PLO process can be stepped down. If there are some outstanding concerns, the PLO process may be extended for another 12 weeks to continue the work done so far.
If the concerns are still prevalent and significant, the Local Authority can escalate proceedings and apply to court for a Care Order or Supervision Order. Court proceedings are lengthy, complex and difficult for the parties involved, so it is important to engage in the PLO process and take it seriously.
How can Rosie Bracher Solicitors help?
Our expert family solicitors can provide legal support throughout the PLO process. If you have received a PLO letter, we can apply for legal aid at either our Okehampton or Barnstaple office, advise you on the next steps and attend the PLO meeting with you. Get in touch with us to make an appointment with a solicitor today.
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