3rd June 2025
A PLO meeting is a meeting called by the local authority when they have concerns surrounding the care of your children. The purpose of the meeting is for the local authority to discuss their concerns and explore ways to address them thereby avoiding court proceedings.
If you have been invited as a parent to such meeting, it is usually because the local authority have the view that all other attempts to resolve their concerns have not been effective. The parents will be invited to the meeting, also in attendance will be the social worker, their manager and the local authority lawyer.
The meeting will involve a discussion of the local authorities concerns, identification of any support they are offering to the parents and a plan will be drawn up to address the concerns.
The outcome of the meeting may be that there is further assessment to be undertaken and therefore there will be a future meeting scheduled. Alternatively, the local authority could decide they do not need to do any further work and finish the process, potentially with the children remaining on a child protection plan. Alternatively, they may make the decision that their concerns cannot be dealt with under this process and they must issue court proceedings for a care order.
It is advisable to have a lawyer attend the meeting with you. Not only can they advise you about the process, but they will ensure that you understand the plan, have a say in what is included and make sure that process is dealt with fairly.
Legal aid is available to obtain advice and be represented at the meeting.