What is Public Law Outline (PLO)?

A Public Law Outline (PLO) is a serious matter that can be highly concerning for parents. Stacey Robertson in our Family team explains everything you need to know about PLO and why seeking professional advice can help achieve a positive outcome for all involved.

Public Law Outline (PLO) overview:

The local authorities will begin the Public Law Outline (PLO) process when there are concerns regarding the welfare of a child. It's a rigid plan designed to correct and alleviate the problems the local authorities have identified. 

PLO is an extremely serious matter. It's a pre-proceedings procedure which means it's the last opportunity for parents to improve the care for their child before the local authority issue care proceedings. If care proceedings are issued, the local authority can ask a Judge to allow them to share parental responsibility for the child or request the child to be removed from the parent's care.

Do I need a solicitor, and will I have to pay?

PLO is a legal process in which the local authorities would have consulted a legal team. Therefore, it's essential for parents to seek their own legal advice and instruct a solicitor as soon as possible.

Parents will be issued a PLO letter from their social worker. This document will set out the local authority's concerns and invite the parents to a face-to-face meeting to discuss them in more detail. Parents who attend the meeting must take a solicitor. The PLO letter will allow parents to seek legal aid to cover the case's legal costs. Legal aid is available to all parents, regardless of financial circumstances, when used for a PLO matter. 

Where and what happens at the PLO meeting?

The PLO meeting can be held in person at one of the local authority's offices or remotely via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Before the meeting, you should meet with your solicitor to discuss any concerns you have with them. During the meeting, the local authority will discuss the problems they identified and set their expectations for addressing them.

During the meeting, parents can discuss anything they disagree with and any support they feel the family could benefit from.

Timescales will be discussed concerning any work parents are required to complete. This could be anything from completing recommended courses or participating in parenting assessments. The parenting assessments are an integral part of the PLO process and are conducted by the children's social worker. Assessments are carried out in weekly sessions and, when finalised, will consider whether the parents can suitably care for their children. The local authority will use the information gathered from the assessments to decide how to proceed with the case. The local authority will conduct these reviews around six weeks after the initial meeting.

Who attends the PLO meeting?

Meetings will usually involve the child's social worker, their team manager and a legal representative for the Local Authority.  

Both parents are invited to attend the PLO meeting. If the parents have separated and feel uncomfortable attending the meeting together, separate meetings can be arranged. The parent's legal representative will also accompany them.

How long is the PLO process, and what happens at the end?

This pre-proceedings procedure should last 12 weeks. However, in certain circumstances, this can be extended if a longer period of support is required or there is a delay in completing the parenting assessments.

At the end of the PLO process, the local authority will decide whether enough positive changes have been made to remove the matter from pre-proceedings. If this decision is made, there will usually be a period where the child will either be subject to child protection planning or classed as a child in need. At this point, the legal involvement would end.

If the local authority feels that sufficient changes have not been made in the pre-proceedings process, they may decide to escalate the matter and apply to the court to issue care proceedings. If they decide on this course of action, parents will be notified in writing, stating clearly that they intend to issue proceedings.

Receive help and advice

If you have received a Public Law Outline (PLO) letter, please contact our family team on 023 8063 9311 or email enquiries@warnergoodman.co.uk for help and advice. We can answer your questions, address your concerns and be by your side throughout the PLO process.