If social services have contacted you, invited you to a meeting, sent you a letter, or raised concerns about your children, this usually means you are at an early intervention stage. This stage is known as: 

• Pre-proceedings
• PLO (Public Law Outline)

 This is a critical opportunity to act before court proceedings begin. 

What is the PLO / Pre-Proceedings Stage? This is when social services are seriously considering whether to start care proceedings in court, but have not done so yet. They may believe: 

• Your child may be at risk of harm
• Changes need to be made at home
• Court involvement may become necessary if things do not improve

 You will usually receive a formal letter inviting you to a meeting. Do not ignore this letter. It is extremely important. 

Why This Stage Matters This is your opportunity to prevent the case going to court. If improvements are made, social services may decide: 

• Not to issue care proceedings
• To reduce or close the case

 If concerns continue, they may: 

• Begin court proceedings
• Seek to remove or place your child elsewhere

Do Fathers Have a Say? Yes. Fathers have equal parental rights. Even if your child does not currently live with you, you can: 

• Offer yourself as a main carer
• Request a full assessment
• Show you can provide a safe and stable home

You have the same legal standing as the other parent. 

Do I Get a Solicitor? Yes — and it is free. At the PLO / pre-proceedings stage you are entitled to legal aid under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. This means: 

• You do not pay anything
• Your income does not matter
• You can have a solicitor present at meetings

 You should not attend a PLO meeting without legal representation. 

What Happens at a PLO Meeting? This is usually a structured meeting with social services. They will: 

• Explain their concerns
• Outline what needs to change
• Set out a written plan

 Your solicitor will: 

• Represent you
• Advise you throughout
• Ensure your rights are protected

If Domestic Abuse Has Been Raised If domestic abuse is part of the concerns: 

• Social services may suggest separation of parents
• They may review where the child should live
• Both parents may be assessed individually

 Even if you disagree with the allegations, your response and behaviour now is very important. 

What You Should Do Immediately 

• Get a solicitor straight away
• Attend all meetings
• Stay calm and focused
• Follow agreed plans where possible
• Keep records of everything

 Also: 

• Show stability in your home life
• Clearly express if you want your child to live with you
• Be proactive in offering solutions

This is your opportunity to demonstrate safe parenting. 

Can I Ask for My Child to Live With Me? Yes. If concerns exist about the other parent’s care, you can: 

• Request to be assessed as the main carer
• Offer your home as a safe alternative
• Demonstrate how you meet your child’s needs

 Social services must consider: 

• Family placement options
• Safety and stability
• Best interests of the child

Do not assume you will not be considered. 

What Happens If Things Do Not Improve? If concerns remain, social services may begin care proceedings under the Children Act 1989. This means: 

• The court becomes involved
• Decisions may be made about where your child lives
• Your child could be placed with family, the other parent, or in care

Early action can often prevent this stage. 

Worried Social Services May Take Your Children?Guide for Fathers Facing Domestic Abuse Allegations If you are seeing little or no contact with your children and social services are involved, this is a serious situation. 

What Is Happening? Social services intervene when they believe a child may not be safe. If domestic abuse has been raised, they may believe: 

• Children have been exposed to conflict
• There may be emotional or physical harm
• The home environment is unstable

 Their focus is always the child’s safety, not parental disagreement. 

What Are Care Proceedings? Care proceedings are court actions under the Children Act 1989. The court may decide to: 

• Remove the child
• Place the child with the other parent or family
• Place the child in foster care

The court’s only priority is:Is the child safe? 

Can My Children Be Taken? Usually, a court order is required. However, emergency action can be taken if there is immediate risk. The court may: 

• Make urgent placement decisions
• Change where the child lives quickly

This is why early action is critical. 

Why Am I Not Seeing My Children? If domestic abuse has been alleged: 

• Contact may be reduced or stopped
• You may be told to stay away temporarily
• Assessments may be carried out first

 This does not automatically mean permanent loss of contact. 

What If Allegations Are Not True? You can challenge them. You may: 

• Explain your version clearly
• Provide evidence (messages, records, etc.)
• Highlight inconsistencies

 However, courts also consider: 

• Current behaviour
• Cooperation with professionals
• Stability moving forward

What You Should Do Immediately 

• Get legal advice immediately
• Attend all meetings and hearings
• Stay calm and professional
• Keep detailed records
• Follow all restrictions or court orders

 Avoid: 

• Angry messages or confrontations
• Breaking contact rules
• Escalating conflict

Do I Get a Free Solicitor? Yes. If proceedings begin, you are entitled to: 

• A solicitor
• A barrister if needed

 Under legal aid: 

• You pay nothing
• Income is not considered
• Representation is automatic

You should never face this alone. 

What Helps Your Case Courts and social services look for: 

• Calm and consistent behaviour
• Cooperation with professionals
• Willingness to accept support if needed
• Focus on the child’s wellbeing

 You do not have to agree with everything, but how you act matters greatly. 

Your Rights as a Parent You still have rights, including: 

• To be involved in proceedings
• To see evidence against you
• To attend court
• To have legal representation
• To apply to care for your child

The Reality This is a serious process, but: 

• Allegations are not automatically proven
• You will have a chance to respond
• Many parents maintain contact
• Some become primary carers

What you do next is crucial. 

If social services have contacted you or you are worried about your children, seek help as early as possible.