- Intermediate *18 hours CPD
The Law Society approved course is for qualified solicitors and FILEX who wish to represent ANY party in public law Children Act proceedings. It is an intermediate skills based course where it is expected delegates can demonstrate experience in public and private law proceedings. Delegates have six months from completing this course to apply for membership of the Children Panel, when they should have completed at least 5 public law cases where there has been a contested issue.
This course will cover:
- Role and duties of the Children's Guardian
- Local Authority structures
- Advocacy in children's cases
- Communication with parties, LA, CAFCASS, Police, families
- Instruction and use of experts
- Disclosure of adverse evidence
- Issues of confidentiality/privilege
- Communicating with children
- Assessing competence
- Child development
- Attachment - good enough parenting
- Indicators of significant harm
- Working with the Children's Guardian