Child Protection

Advice From Specialist Children Lawyers

Our children lawyers at Osbornes Law specialise in representing parents, children, grandparents and extended family members in relation to social services involvement with children. If you subject to a care or supervision order contact our lawyers for help and further advice.

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  • “Osbornes has incredible strength in depth across every area of family law. Areas of expertise include unravelling complicated trusts and handling pre-acquired wealth, to Children Act proceedings and advising on the financial provision for children.”

  • “The lawyers at Osbornes are very well established and have a lot of experience between them, which gives them a lot of confidence and a willingness to think out of the box.”

The Local Authority may apply to the Court for a Care Order or a Supervision Order.

A Care Order will vest parental responsibility in the Local Authority and they will make decisions for the child including deciding where the child resides.

A Supervision Order will give the Local Authority a duty to monitor children, who will generally remain living at home or with family members. The Local Authority could also apply for an Emergency Protection Order or a Secure Accommodation Order. Legal Aid is available for representation in these types of court proceedings.

Help from specialist children lawyers

Our lawyers provide advice and assistance to parents when social services are involved with families and procedures are put in place to decide whether children should be made subject to a Child Protection Plan. A Child Protection Conference will be arranged to decide whether this is necessary and parents are entitled to legal representation at the conference.

We also provide advice to parents and family members on seeking contact with children in care. We frequently advise on Special Guardianship Orders, which can provide children with a long term placement with family members or other adult carers, as opposed to being adopted.

Why choose Osbornes Law

Many of our children lawyers are members of the Law Society Children Panel. This means they are recognised and accredited by the Law Society for their specialist legal advice and expertise in children matters. They can represent children in court proceedings.

All of our solicitors are members of Resolution who are committed to dealing with children cases in a sensitive and constructive manner. Our solicitors are also members of the Association of Lawyers for Children.

Speak to a Children Lawyer Today

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






    •  The team is experienced in handling matters where there are allegations of abuse and non-accidental injury, as well as situations where children's welfare is at risk due to parents' substance misuse or mental health issues.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • The lawyers at Osbornes are very well established and have a lot of experience between them, which gives them a lot of confidence and a willingness to think out of the box.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • Their client care is really impressive and they have such breadth of experience

      Chambers UK 2024

    • In a long standing issue with my ex and our child, Lisa and her team have always given me advice that has been first class. Lisa has a deep knowledge of how the courts work and which arguments will work and which will not and will advice exactly what to do and when.

      Trust pilot

    • My solicitor Jon Jonas came across as a genuine, very skilled solicitor who demonstrated great insights and experience in complex child arrangement cases. He has been able to create and implement an effective strategy to deal with extremely toxic matters.

      Ben K

    • They are uniquely placed to cater for every avenue of family legal difficulty, whether financial or children.

      Legal 500 2024

    • Osbornes has one of the strongest family law teams in the business with a very wide range of experience and seniority

      Legal 500 2024

    • Osbornes has incredible strength in depth across every area of family law, from public law children and child abduction proceedings, through to adoption and surrogacy, and private client work.

      Legal 500 2024

    • Areas of expertise for the group span from unravelling complicated trusts and handling pre-acquired wealth, to Children Act proceedings and advising on the financial provision for children

      Legal 500 2024

    • "Osbornes have been a sound firm forever. They have phenomenal work."

      CHAMBERS UK 2023

    • "They provide excellent advice and service to clients."

      CHAMBERS 2023

    • "Osbornes Law have a very broad family practice which does all areas of family law at a high level. They have an excellent practice; they are top quality across the board."

      CHAMBERS UK 2023

    • Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive children public law practice.

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "Osbornes offers a unique service of high quality advice and representation across a wide range of areas of law."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "The team are all eminently approachable and down to earth, committed, hardworking and who support their clients in a very effective, pragmatic way."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Osbornes offers an excellent family law service spanning the wide range of disputes that may arise, in relation both to children and finances."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "A family team that is able to offer the highest level of expertise across the family law spectrum from high-net-worth finances through to care proceedings and children matters."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "David Leadercrammer is such an experienced wonderful lawyer who you would want on the other side of your case. He’s sensible, pragmatic and hugely experienced in money and children cases."

      Legal 500 2023

    • Osbornes have been a sound firm forever. They have phenomenal work and an excellent skill set.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • Osbornes have high-end partners doing high-end work. They are very impressive.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • They have an excellent practice; they are top quality across the board.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • Osbornes have a very broad family practice which does all areas of family law at a high level.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • He is very hard-working, diligent and thoughtful in his approach. He is on top of the detail and makes strategic decisions.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • He commits himself to getting the best results.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • He’s a really tough litigator that you certainly want on your side. He will defend his clients to the hilt.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • Mark is an immensely capable lawyer, with vast experience and a well-deserved reputation for getting the very best for his clients.

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • Lisa Pepper is extremely hard-working and adored by her clients. She is a very empathetic and approachable lawyer.

      Chambers HNW 2O22

    • She’s an extremely supportive and kind lawyer and has an increasing mediation profile too

      Chambers HNW 2022

    • "Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases".

      Chambers UK

    • Andrew secured me the best financial settlement for my claim. He is a credit to Osbornes Solicitors.

      Family Department Client

    • "It has a strong and experienced team of solicitors who don’t take bad points, work sensibly to get a settlement and who you can always pick up the phone and speak to. They are good lawyers and know the strengths and weaknesses of their clients’ cases. They don’t posture and always pursue their clients cases appropriately. "

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Mark Freedman is a very capable lawyer, renowned for not being a pushover and pushing his clients’ cases as much as he can, but will always talk sensibly about settlement. He is among the best – tenacious, good judgment and tactically aware."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Mark Freedman is a dynamic and highly experienced family lawyer who fights extremely hard for his clients and is always in their corner, thus ensuring their loyalty and confidence. In a trial you would always want him on your side."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Bridget Thompson combines her excellent legal knowledge with a clear, succinct and robust style of advice and advocacy. Her approach clearly inspires a high degree of client confidence in her"

      Legal 500 2021

    • "She has impressed me as someone who fights my corner but also understands the importance of resolving issues without unnecessary escalation. She is calm and reassuring."

    • "Her mediation practice is exceptional; she is also a great solicitor and has a breadth of skill which is really useful."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • "He is really experienced and wise. He has a lovely manner about him and clients feel safe with him."

      Chambers UK

    • "She is excellent. She's very reliable, talks about her cases passionately and is very committed to her clients."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • "I consider the firm to be very experienced in child care cases and to provide a very professional and high standard of work"

      Chambers UK 2021

    • "Jo Wescott is top notch and widely recognised as a rising star throughout the profession. She brings a winning combination of great judgement, an immense work ethic, and a relaxed and charming way with opponents and clients alike. Someone you want on your side”

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Osbornes is pre-eminent for family law in North London. Mark Freedman is a real rainmaker. He is an excellent lawyer and has a top-notch practice"

      Legal 500 2020 - Mark Freedman

    • Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases.

      Legal 500 2020 - Mark Freedman

    • "Exceptional value for money. Highly competent and reasonably priced. Mark Freedman: one of the best in the field."

      Legal 500 2020 - Mark Freedman

    • "Client-focused. Ready to fight the clients’ corner, but also ready where possible to steer client from unnecessary dispute. Mark Freedman – very experienced, with good instinct for the eventual result. Clients love him and he thinks ahead and directs the client to the best result for the client."

      Legal 500 2020 - Mark Freedman

    • Mark Freedman is a serious player. A fearless family law litigator, who protects his clients’ interests passionately.

      Legal 500 2020 - Mark Freedman

    • Breadth of knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile is what makes it stand out. Mark Freedman – devoted to his clients

      Legal 500 2020 - Mark Freedman

    • Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues. Sources praise the "tenacity and common sense" he brings to challenging disputes.

      Chambers UK

    • "Mark is very experienced, competent, good with clients and takes a sensible approach to cases. He knows exactly what he's doing."

      Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, Mark Freedman

    • Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."

      Chambers UK

    • Lisa Pepper is particularly recognised for her role as a mediator in complex cross-border disputes. Her practice also includes handling prenuptial agreements and issues arising from the dissolution of civil partnerships.

      Chambers UK

    • "An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."

      Chambers UK

    • "They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."

      Chambers UK

    • "The team frequently deals with cross-border estates for high–net-worth individuals."

      The Legal 500

    • "Mark Freedman is a real heavyweight litigator who has dealt with some very significant cases."

      The Legal 500

    • "Mark Freedman boxes clever, keeps his powder dry and when it comes to the end game he negotiates a really good deal."

      The Legal 500

    • "Mark Freedman has a specific focus on high-net-worth divorces and finance cases where there are overseas assets and trusts."

      The Legal 500

    • "Lisa Pepper somehow manages to get parties to settle on matters where there isn’t much hope to start out with."

      The Legal 500

    • "Well-regarded family practice assisting clients with substantial matrimonial disputes and sensitive children proceedings."

      Chambers UK

    • "Mark Freedman draws acclaim for his work in high net worth divorce cases, including those involving company structures, family trusts and overseas assets."

      Chambers UK 2019

    • "He never gives up. He fights for you to the end and has boundless energy."

      Chambers UK

    • "Simone is absolutely on top of the game. She has great attention to detail, and has her clients' needs at heart."

      Chambers UK

    • "Bridget is client-focused, a pleasure to work with and incredibly supportive to her clients."

      Chambers UK

    • Bridget Thompson heads the family team, where client care is the top priority.

      Legal 500

    • Mark Freedman advises high-net-worth clients and knows his stuff.

      Legal 500

    • Highly regarded for his experience as a litigation and mediation expertise, Mark Freedman is tenacious and determined. Clients really feel that he is fighting their corner.

      Chambers UK

    • Simone McGrath is a highly knowledgeable practitioner with a focus on international child abduction matters. She has a large expertise in public and private law.

      Chambers UK

    • [The Family Law department] handles significant matrimonial finance cases and complex nuptial agreements. Respected for its expertise in cross-border children law matters.

      Chambers UK

    • They have a really good, strong team, with the junior elements punching well above their weight. It doesn't matter who you talk to; they are all switched on."

      Family Law department client

    • Simone McGrath handles international child abduction cases and challenging care proceedings relating to non-accidental injuries.

      Chambers UK

    • "Mark Freedman receives a lot of instructions from clients based abroad, often relating to complex divorce proceedings. Sources say: “His main strengths are his enthusiastic passion for the job in hand and his total dedication to his clients.”

      Chambers UK

    • This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell leads the market in cross-border children law matters. Sources confirm that she is "at the cutting edge of changing law and policy" when it comes to international adoption

      Chambers UK

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