PLO meeting - Can't understand the plan, no soliticor, no advocate

[deletedkatkat10]

Katkat10 ableist so deleted all

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear bananabiscuitcakes

Thank you for your email. I am very sorry to hear that you are still having difficulties finding an advocate to support you and a solicitor to represent you at the forthcoming video PLO next week.

Please see this good practice guide for working with parents with a learning disability or difficulty which children’s services should be following. This guide makes clear that local authorities should ‘put in place whatever reasonable adjustments are required to their own practices and procedures in order to give parents with learning disabilities equality of opportunity to retain the care of their children’ (page 35).

You could check on the Working Together with Parents Network’s directory of services here to see if you can find a suitable advocacy service and also to search for specialist children’s lawyers who are experienced in representing parents with disabilities.

You are entitled to have a solicitor to assist you at a PLO meeting and can ask for the PLO meeting to be deferred until you are represented. Children’s services should treat you fairly and reasonably and put the right adjustments in place to allow you to participate properly. The court would expect this too and is likely to be very critical of a local authority who is not following the protocol, as above.

You could get in touch with the complaints department it children’s services are not responding to you adequately.

I hope this helps. Please call our freephone advice line if you would like to discuss your situation further with an adviser (0808 8010366, Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm, except bank holidays) and of course you can post back on this forum as needed.

Best wishes

Suzie

[KatKat10]

bananabiscuitcakes - really important you get a solicitor accredited in child law, as you are entitled to this if in PLO. costs are covered by legal aid. If you are unable to secure a solicitor in time, ask for the PLO to be delayed, you do not want social workers to take advantage of you.

[deletedkatkat10]

Don't know what's been said. Katkat10 being ableist so deleted all

[KatKat10]

But you communicate very well on this forum? You need legal representation, it does not cost you anything under PLO. If you do not understand what the solicitor is telling you, go to citizens advice or is there a friend who can help explain it to you.

[deletedkatkat10]

Huh? How? I have not been able to read or understand most reply.

I have not understood the website

I have not understood staff.

Why are you being ableisst?