Public Law Outline (PLO): Complete Guide for Social Workers

What is the Public Law Outline?

The Public Law Outline (PLO) is the court procedure for care and supervision proceedings. But in social work practice, "PLO" often refers specifically to the pre-proceedings process—the steps taken before issuing care proceedings to ensure families understand the concerns and have the opportunity to make changes.

The pre-proceedings process aims to prevent unnecessary court proceedings while ensuring that where proceedings are needed, they are issued at the right time with the right evidence.

When to Consider Pre-Proceedings

Pre-proceedings should be considered when:

• The local authority is considering applying for a care or supervision order
• Concerns have reached the threshold for significant harm
• Previous interventions have not achieved lasting change
• There is a need to formally warn parents of the local authority's concerns
• You want to give parents a final opportunity to change before court

The Pre-Proceedings Letter

What It Should Include

• Clear statement that the local authority is considering care proceedings
• Specific concerns about the child's care
• What needs to change
• What support will be offered
• Timescale for change
• Invitation to a pre-proceedings meeting
• Advice about legal representation and legal aid

Writing the Letter

• Be clear and specific—avoid jargon
• State the concerns in terms the family can understand
• Be honest about what will happen if changes aren't made
• Include information about free legal advice

Legal Representation

Parents are entitled to non-means-tested legal advice in pre-proceedings. This is known as Legal Help and is available from solicitors who do family law legal aid work.

You should:

• Advise parents to seek legal advice immediately
• Provide a list of local solicitors who do legal aid family work
• Allow time for them to instruct a solicitor before the meeting
• Encourage them to bring their solicitor to the meeting

The Pre-Proceedings Meeting

Purpose

• Explain the local authority's concerns in detail
• Hear the family's response
• Agree what needs to change
• Set clear expectations and timescales
• Identify support that will be provided

Who Attends

• Social worker and team manager (at minimum)
• Parents and their solicitors
• Local authority legal representative (often)
• Other family members or supporters (if agreed)
• Interpreter (if needed)

Conducting the Meeting

• Set clear ground rules
• Explain the process and purpose
• Present concerns clearly
• Listen to the family's response
• Discuss what needs to happen
• Agree a plan with timescales
• Explain next steps

The Pre-Proceedings Plan

What It Should Cover

• Specific changes required
• Actions by parents
• Support from the local authority
• Timescales for each action
• How progress will be reviewed
• Consequences if changes aren't made

SMART Expectations

Requirements should be:

• Specific: Clear about what's expected
• Measurable: You can tell if it's been achieved
• Achievable: Realistic for this family
• Relevant: Linked to the identified concerns
• Time-bound: Clear deadlines

Timescales

Pre-Proceedings Period

Pre-proceedings should typically last a maximum of 16 weeks (in line with the pre-birth period or PLO best practice). However, this is guidance not law, and some cases may need longer or shorter periods.

Reviews

• Regular review meetings (usually every 4-6 weeks)
• Progress against the plan assessed
• Plan updated as needed
• Decision at each review: continue, close, or issue

Outcomes of Pre-Proceedings

1. Case Steps Down

If the family makes sufficient progress, the case may step down from pre-proceedings. This doesn't mean concerns disappear—ongoing support and monitoring may continue at a lower level.

2. Proceedings Are Issued

If sufficient change hasn't been made, or the child is at risk, care proceedings may be issued. The pre-proceedings work becomes part of the court evidence.

3. Alternative Arrangements

Sometimes pre-proceedings leads to alternative arrangements, such as the child living with wider family under a private arrangement, special guardianship, or connected carers.

Documentation

What to Record

• All letters sent and received
• Meeting notes and attendance
• The pre-proceedings plan
• Progress reviews
• Evidence of changes (or lack of)
• Decisions and rationale

Why It Matters

If proceedings are issued, the court will want to see that the local authority gave the family a fair opportunity to make changes. Good documentation demonstrates this and supports your evidence.

Common Challenges

Family Not Engaging

If parents don't attend meetings or engage with the plan, document this carefully. Consider whether proceedings should be issued or whether additional attempts to engage are needed.

Slow Progress

Some change but not enough? Consider whether more time is realistic or whether you're in a pattern of "start again syndrome." The child's timescales matter more than the parents'.

Emergencies During Pre-Proceedings

If a safeguarding emergency arises during pre-proceedings, take protective action immediately. Pre-proceedings doesn't limit your duty to protect.

When to Issue Proceedings

Issue proceedings when:

• The child cannot be protected without court orders
• Pre-proceedings hasn't achieved necessary change
• The family isn't engaging with pre-proceedings
• There's an emergency requiring immediate protection
• Drift would be harmful to the child

Conclusion

The pre-proceedings process is an important opportunity to work with families before court. When done well, it can prevent unnecessary proceedings while ensuring children are protected. The key is clear communication, realistic expectations, and honest assessment of progress—always keeping the child's welfare and timescales at the centre.