Child Care Solicitors

Bracknell Forest Council in Berkshire has been awarded a share of £11.6 million by the Department for Education (DfE) to support vulnerable families.

The council won the funding jointly with Hertfordshire County Council, Luton Borough Council, Peterborough City Council, and West Berkshire Council, under the DfE’s Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme.

The Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme supports the development, testing and sharing of effective ways to support children who need help from children’s social care services.

In each local authority, the funding will be used to implement Hertfordshire County Council’s successful Family Safeguarding model, which achieved a 40% reduction in the number of children with child protection plans.

The funding will broaden the range of professionals available to provide a holistic, family-centred approach to social care.

Adult and children’s social care teams will work together to deliver the right support for a family more quickly – potentially reducing the need for more serious interventions.

Bracknell Forest Council’s Executive Member for children, young people and learning, Councillor Gareth Barnard, said:

“We are committed to improving the lives of all children and families in the borough and I am delighted the DfE has recognised this by awarding the council this grant.

“Alongside other authorities, Bracknell Forest Council has supported Hertfordshire County Council throughout its journey to set up the Family Safeguarding model – we have watched with interest the developments in Hertfordshire and the results have been encouraging.

“This funding will allow us to implement a similar model in Bracknell Forest, strengthening our approach to social care.

“It will allow us to create holistic support plans for the borough’s children and families, ensuring we continue to give every child the best possible start to life.”

Duncan Lewis Child Care Solicitors

Duncan Lewis cChild 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.