Family Solicitors

Welsh Assembly Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant, has announced funding of £1 million to local authorities across Wales to help young people who have been through the care system.

Funding will be made available to eligible young people aged between 16 and 25 who are either still in local authority care or who are care leavers, to help them progress towards independence.

In 2015-2016, there were 5,662 looked after children in Wales and 702 care leavers.

Carl Sargeant said:

“Typically, outcomes for children in care or care leavers are less positive than for those young people who live at home with a parent or parents. We are committed to improving the life chances of children who have experienced care, so they have the opportunity to flourish and realise their potential. Local authorities as corporate parents are expected to help the young people in their care move towards independence, in a similar way to parents who have children living at home."

“Providing appropriate support and guidance to a young person early in their journey towards independence helps to maximise life chances. I hope this fund will offer timely support to care leavers – and go some way in helping them achieve their ambitions and make a successful transition to adulthood and independent living. We will work with the Children’s Commissioner and young people who have experienced care to discuss how the fund will work. I welcome Sally Holland’s Spotlight report on looked after children, which will also help inform our decision.”

Duncan Lewis Family and Child Care Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Child Care Solicitors can advise parents on a wide range of child care law and family matters, including parents’ duties under the Education Act 1996 and SEND.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on Section 38 enquiries, pre-proceedings meetings, children taken into Local Authority care and Court of Protection cases.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and Duncan Lewis advises on family and child care matters under UK law and Islamic law, as well as being able to advise on cross-border family issues, such as child care arrangements, leave to remove and international parent-child abduction.

For expert legal advice on family and child care matters, call Duncan Lewis children lawyers on 0333 772 0409.