Non means tested Legal Aid for foster carers challenging Council's care plans

Open for signatures 18 signatures

What the petition asks

Provide non-means-tested Legal Aid for foster carers challenging Local Authority care plans through court orders (Adoption/SGO). Carers shouldn't face financial ruin to protect a child's welfare. We need a level playing field to ensure the child’s best interests are always the priority in court.

Authorities have substantial funds for care plans, but foster carers must self-fund challenges, costing tens of thousands. Foster carers have successfully challenged local authority care plans in court because they were not in the best interests of the child, but this can cost tens of thousands of pounds. We believe the current system silences carers via legal costs. We must remove means-testing to ensure justice isn't dependent on a carer's bank balance.

Timeline

29 May 2026

Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 18

Status Open for signatures

Department Ministry of Justice

Opened 29 May 2026

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