The formal pre-proceedings process - a letter to parents listing child protection concerns and a meeting where parents are legally represented - succeeded in diverting a quarter of cases from legal proceedings for the child’s protection. This chapter discusses how this simple process impacts on parents and social workers to protect parents’ rights, ensure fairness and resolve child protection concerns. Recent reforms have changed the legal context for the process, increasing its importance and the focus on preparation for court. Nevertheless, by encouraging engagement it can still keep cases out of care proceedings.
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