Child Protection
✓ Expert Child Protection Solicitors.
✓ Quality legal representation and support throughout.
✓ Social services involvement, child safeguarding & care proceedings.
Child Protection Solicitors in Burnley
At Farnworth Rose, our Child Protection Solicitors provide clear, honest advice to people facing difficult decisions about a child’s safety or welfare. If you are worried about the involvement of social services, or you’ve been contacted by the local authority, it is important to get legal advice as early as possible.
We help parents, carers and family members understand their rights and respond to concerns in a calm, constructive way. From care assessments and child protection plans to emergency court hearings, we’ll guide you through what needs to happen and how to protect the child’s best interests throughout.
With over 35 years of combined experience, our team of trusted Family Lawyers supports families across Burnley and beyond with urgent and sensitive child protection matters. You will have direct contact with a solicitor who understands what you’re going through and will support you every step of the way.
To speak with one of our Child Protection Solicitors in Burnley, call us today on 01282 695 400 or complete the enquiry form below. We’re ready to help you find the right path forward.
Why Choose Farnworth Rose for Child Protection Matters
When questions arise about a child’s safety or welfare, it’s vital to have the right legal guidance in place, support that is both compassionate and clear. At Farnworth Rose, we’re here to offer thoughtful advice and steady support during what can be a sensitive time for families. Whether you’re responding to enquiries from Children’s Services or looking to take steps to protect a child you care about, we’ll help you understand your position and move forward with confidence.
Our child protection solicitors are accredited specialists in family law, with extensive experience advising clients at all stages of local authority involvement under the Children Act 1989. From child in need assessments and pre proceedings meetings to emergency hearings and long term care plans, we’re committed to protecting your rights and supporting the best possible outcome for the child.
We take time to understand the concerns at hand and provide legal advice tailored to your specific situation. From the outset, you’ll have direct access to a dedicated solicitor who will be there to guide you with clarity and reassurance. You’ll be kept informed at every step, and we’ll always explain your options in plain language so you can make decisions that feel right for you and your family.
We are committed to transparency, including around costs, so there are no surprises. And as a full service law firm, we’re well placed to support with any wider legal issues that may arise from housing and financial matters to special guardianship or private child arrangements.
Families trust Farnworth Rose because we take our responsibilities seriously. We will always act with care, determination and integrity to protect those who matter most.
Meet the Team
What Is Child Protection in UK Law?
Child protection refers to the steps taken, both legally and practically, to keep children safe from harm, abuse or neglect. In England and Wales, local authorities have a duty to act if they have concerns about a child’s welfare, especially where there is a risk of significant harm. This can include concerns around physical abuse, emotional harm, sexual abuse or neglect.
When concerns are raised, social workers will usually carry out an assessment. In many cases, a Child Protection Conference is arranged. This meeting brings professionals and family members together to look at what support or safeguarding measures may be needed.
If risks are serious or ongoing, things may move to a more formal stage. The local authority can start care proceedings, and the Family Court may become involved.
At that point, parents and carers have a legal right to be represented. They can respond to the concerns raised and ask the court to consider their side of the story.
At Farnworth Rose, we help families understand what is happening, explore their options clearly and respond constructively at every stage. Whether you have just been contacted by Children’s Services or you are already in court, our Child Protection Solicitors will guide you with clarity, compassion and confidence.
How We Can Help with Child Protection Cases
When social workers become involved with your family, it’s normal to feel anxious, uncertain or overwhelmed. You might be worried about what’s going to happen next or unsure how much power the local authority has. That’s where our team can help.
At Farnworth Rose, we provide clear legal advice and strong representation to help you stay in control and take the right steps to protect the child involved. From the very first conversation, you’ll have direct access to an experienced solicitor who will guide you through the process and fight your corner when it matters most. We regularly help clients with:
First contact from social workers about concerns or assessments
Invitations to Public Law Outline or pre-proceedings meetings
Managing the expectations of a Child Protection Plan
Requests to sign a Section 20 voluntary care agreement
Urgent support during live care proceedings
Applications from relatives or family friends to take over care
Whatever your circumstances, we’ll work closely with you to understand what’s happened, identify what support is needed, and give you clear, honest advice about your rights. If court proceedings are on the table, we’ll be there to represent you and make sure your voice is heard.
Our Family Lawyers are known for their calm approach, practical solutions and deep understanding of what families need in difficult situations. You don’t have to face this alone — we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions for Child Protection Services
+ What is the role of social services in child protection cases?
Social services (Children’s Services) have a legal duty to safeguard children who may be at risk of harm. Their role is to assess a child’s living situation and determine whether support is needed to ensure their safety and wellbeing. This can involve home visits, speaking with the child and family members, and working with schools, healthcare professionals or the police. Their aim is to keep families together wherever possible, but they must act if they believe a child is at serious risk. If you're contacted by social services, it's important to seek legal advice early so you understand your rights and responsibilities from the outset.
+ What legal options are available to protect a child from harm?
The family court can issue a range of protective orders if there are immediate or serious concerns about a child’s welfare. These include:
- Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs), granted when a child needs immediate protection.
- Care Orders, where the local authority shares parental responsibility.
- Supervision Orders, allowing social services to monitor the child’s care while they remain at home.
In some cases, family members may also apply for Child Arrangements Orders or Special Guardianship Orders to care for a child themselves. Our child protection solicitors will help you understand the most appropriate legal route and act quickly to put the right measures in place.
+ What happens at a Child Protection Conference or if a plan is put in place?
A Child Protection Conference is a formal meeting organised by social services when there are concerns that a child may be at risk of significant harm. It brings together professionals involved with the child, such as teachers, health visitors, and social workers, alongside the parents or carers. The aim is to share information and agree whether a Child Protection Plan is needed to safeguard the child. If a plan is created, it will set out specific actions for the family and professionals to follow.
Our child protection solicitors can help you prepare for the meeting, attend with you, and ensure your voice is properly heard.
+ Do I need a solicitor for a Child Protection Conference?
While you’re not legally required to have a solicitor at a Child Protection Conference, having legal support can make a meaningful difference. These meetings can feel formal and sometimes overwhelming, especially when concerns have been raised about your parenting or your child’s welfare.
At Farnworth Rose, we’re here to help you feel prepared and supported. We’ll explain what the meeting involves, help you understand the concerns being discussed, and ensure you’re able to express your views confidently and clearly. In many cases, we can attend with you or help you prepare written statements in advance. Our role is to make sure your rights are protected and your voice is heard, always with your child’s best interests at heart.
+ Is Section 47 the same as a child protection order?
Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 is not the same as a child protection order, but it plays an important role in the child protection process. A Section 47 enquiry is the investigation carried out by the local authority when there is reason to believe a child may be suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. This enquiry helps determine whether further action is needed to safeguard the child’s welfare.
A child protection order, such as an Emergency Protection Order (EPO), is a specific legal measure that allows immediate steps to be taken, such as removing a child from a harmful situation. These types of orders may be applied for following a Section 47 investigation, if the risks to the child are serious or urgent.
In short, Section 47 relates to the investigative process, while a child protection order is one possible legal outcome of that process. They are closely connected but legally distinct.
+ What should I do if I’m facing allegations or involvement from the local authority?
If you’ve been contacted by social services or made aware of concerns about your child’s care, it’s completely understandable to feel uncertain about what to do next. What matters most is knowing that you don’t have to manage it alone. At Farnworth Rose, we’re here to listen, guide and support you.
Our experienced solicitors will help you understand the situation clearly, explain any steps being taken by the local authority, and work with you to respond in a calm and constructive way. Whether you're invited to a meeting or facing more formal proceedings, we’ll be by your side, ensuring your voice is heard and helping you work towards the best outcome for your child and your family.
Contact Our Child Protection Solicitors in Burnley
When concerns are raised about a child’s welfare, knowing where you stand and what steps to take can bring real peace of mind. At Farnworth Rose, our experienced child protection solicitors are here to guide you with care and clarity, helping you make informed decisions that protect your family’s future.
From our offices in Nelson, near Burnley, we support individuals and families across Lancashire and beyond, including Burnley, Preston, Manchester, Blackburn, Rochdale, Bolton, and areas across West Yorkshire such as Leeds, Huddersfield and Skipton.
Wherever you are, we are ready to help, with clear advice, fair pricing, and a genuine commitment to doing what’s right.
To speak with one of our specialist Child Law Solicitors at Farnworth Rose, call us now on 01282 695 400 or complete the form below, and we’ll be in touch to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
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