Are they getting a fair deal! – the case for parental advocacy

Abstract

With the advent of the Children Act 1989, children and young people subject to care proceedings are now effectively assured of full and adequate representation in court, through the support of both their social worker and a ‘guardian ad litem’ and their respective solicitors. Parents, however, are not currently so well provided for. Although they are usually legally represented in care proceedings, their lawyers do not necessarily possess a background in child-care law, and unlike their children, parents have no-one else acting in the role of advocate, either in court or in other decision-making forums. This article seeks to address the need for parents themselves to be more adequately supported, both during and after care proceedings.