Letter of issue

This is a letter that children’s services must by law send to the parents (or anyone else who has parental responsibility) if they apply to the court for a care or supervision order. This application may be asking the court to remove the child from their parents’ care. It must therefore contain specific information.

The letter of issue must:

• Inform the parents that care proceedings are being started and what this means. They must be given the date, time and location of the first hearing.
• Advise the parents to get help from a solicitor specialising in children law immediately. It should make clear that parents will not have to pay for their legal advice. Any parent whose children are subject to care proceedings will have their solicitor’s fees paid by legal aid.
• The letter should enclose the application made to court and all documents referred to within the application.