Legal Gateway Panel Process

Role of the Legal Gateway Panel

The Legal Gateway Panel will consider all aspects of the child's circumstances to enable a decision to be made regarding Children Social Care's plan of intervention. The Legal Gateway Panel ensures that the local authority is applying a consistent threshold to all cases where legal proceedings are being considered.

The Panel will, taking into account the quality of the evidence available, decide whether the issue of a Letter Before Proceedings, the issue of public law care proceedings or the support of a private law application is in a child's best interests and will achieve the desired aim.

The Legal Gateway Panel must consider any request to initiate care proceedings. The Social Worker and Team Manager are required to attend the Legal Gateway Panel to seek approval for proceedings or the initiation of the Public Law Outline Process.

Legal Gateway Panel Documents

• Legal Gateway Panel Guidance for Social Workers – Process for Children to be Discussed at Legal Gateway Panel;
• Legal Gateway Panel Process – Flowchart;
• Legal Gateway Panel – Terms of Reference;
• Legal Gateway Panel Item Front Sheet.