Section 20 Agreements – Voluntary Accommodation
What is Section 20 – Voluntary Accommodation?
‘Voluntary Accommodation’ is used where the local authority is concerned that a child cannot be looked after safely at home, resulting in them asking permission for the child to be looked after under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989.
If someone does have parental responsibility for the child they can voluntarily allow the local authority to accommodate their child. Voluntary accommodation is typically with local authority foster carers or a family member (such as a grandparent) who has been approved by the local authority.
A section 20 agreement does not include any involvement from the Court and signing the agreement does not mean you hand over parental responsibility of the child to the local authority. However, if the local authority has contacted you about a voluntary accommodation, we would recommend seeking legal advice as soon as you can before the local authority or police take further action.
At Rothera Bray our child care team have a wealth of experience in assisting and advising families who have received a section 20 voluntary accommodation.
Why use Rothera Bray when you have received a Section 20 Voluntary Accommodation?
We can go over the section 20 agreement with you to make sure you fully understand the terms and implications of the agreement before you sign it.
We can advise you if you don’t agree with the section 20 agreement, including what further steps the local authority might take against you.
We can offer guidance where you wish to withdraw your consent and the local authority has ignored your attempts to withdraw consent or not made it clear how you can withdraw consent.
We can offer Legal Aid where eligible.
We can liaise with the local authority and other parties on your behalf.
We have a network of seven offices across Nottingham, Leicester and Derby that can advise you in relation to child care proceedings.
We can advise families on the whole process of a section 20 agreement, including any assessments the local authority might undertake if they plan to issue an application to the court.
In situations where the parents and local authorities are able to work together, we can advise the parents on changes they can make to ensure their child is returned to them.
We can help you with:
- Voluntary accommodation
- Withdrawing consent to voluntary accommodation
Send us a message
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Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner & Chairwoman
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors. Working from our Nottingham and Derby offices, Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children matters.
David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.
Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including Child Care, Financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.
Charley Kelly
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Charley is an experienced Family Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.
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Gurpreet Singh is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Child Care department and is based at our Derby office.
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Solicitor
Gabriella Kent is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market and Derby offices.
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Emily Sherwood is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market Nottingham and Derby offices.
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Skyler Broadhead is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray Solicitors Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market and Derby offices.
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Paralegal
Hannah Lilley is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Child Care team and is based at our Lace Market and Derby offices. Hannah specialises in care proceedings and private children law matters.
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