Are you involved in court proceedings about the care of your child? Has the Judge ordered or mentioned a section 37 report?
What does this mean?
The title Section 37 Report refers to section 37 of the Children Act 1989.
A Judge will order a section 37 report if they believe it may be appropriate for social services to make a care or supervision order in respect of the child or children.
The Judge will therefore ask the social services department in the council/ borough where the child lives to investigate and write a report on whether they will apply for these orders, provide services, assistance or take any other action in respect of the child.
Usually social services has eight weeks to finalise their report.
If you are a parent involved in court proceedings and a section 37 report has been ordered by the court, you will be sent a copy of it. It is likely that once the report is prepared you will then have another hearing to decide the next steps in your case in light of the contents of the report.
If you need legal advice in respect of court proceedings about the care of your child or children, contact us at office@citmchambers.co.uk or call us on 0117 214 1797.