Social services cannot stop you from seeing your child without legal justification. However, in certain situations, they may restrict or suspend contact if they believe it is necessary to protect the child’s welfare.

Whether social services have the authority to limit or stop contact depends on the legal status of your child’s case:

If There is No Court Order in Place

– Social services cannot stop you from seeing your child unless they believe there is an immediate risk of harm.
– If social services try to restrict contact without a court order, you can challenge their decision and seek legal advice.

If Your Child is Under a Supervision Order

– A Supervision Order allows social services to monitor a child’s welfare but does not give them parental responsibility.
– They cannot stop contact unless the court has specifically ordered restrictions.

If Your Child is Under a Care Order

– If the court has granted a Care Order, social services share parental responsibility with you.
– They can limit or suspend contact if they believe it is in your child’s best interests.
– However, they must provide valid reasons and allow you to challenge the decision.

If Your Child is in Foster Care or with a Family Member

– Social services must promote reasonable contact between parents and children unless the court has ruled otherwise.
– If they restrict your contact, you can apply for a Contact Order to ensure you can see your child.

If There is a Court Order Stopping Contact

– If the court has formally stopped contact, you must apply to the Family Court to challenge or vary the order.
– A solicitor can help you present evidence showing why contact should be restored.

How Our Legal Aid Solicitors Can Help You

Challenge Social Services’ Decisions – If you believe social services are unfairly restricting contact, we can help you challenge their decision and take legal action if needed.

Apply for a Contact Order – If you are being prevented from seeing your child, we can help you apply to the Family Court to secure regular contact.

Represent You in Court – If social services claim that contact is not in the child’s best interests, we can fight your case and present evidence to support your right to see your child.

Legal Aid is Available – If your child is under a Care Order or in care proceedings, Legal Aid is automatically available and not means-tested.

Take Action Today – Protect Your Right to See Your Child

If social services are stopping or restricting your contact, you have the right to challenge their decision. Contact us today for expert legal advice and representation.