Legal Practice
Our Legal Practice Unit (LPU) has a legal aid contract to provide legal casework advice, assistance and legal representation to clients in relation to community care law matters, such as:
- Age assessments
- Local authorities duties to children in care and young people leaving care
- Support from local authorities and other agencies for families and children
- The rights of disabled children and children with additional needs
- Housing for young people in unsafe or unsuitable accommodation or who are experiencing homelessness
Our LPU has limited capacity to take on community care cases but from time to time we may be able to take on new cases. If you have a case and would like to check if our LPU is able to help, please send us some brief details by email to commcare@coramclc.org.uk with the subject heading ‘Representation Request’.
If you do not hear back from us within 5 working days, that unfortunately means we are not able to assist you and we would suggest that you contact other lawyers by contacting the Law Society or using the government legal aid provider search tool. Alternatively you can contact our Child Law Advice Service below.
Housing and homelessness advice for young people
Our Housing Caseworker is able to provide free, one-off advice to young people up to the age of 25 living in London and the surrounding area. Support is available on a range of complex issues relating to housing, including suitability and homelessness. If you experience housing difficulties, you can refer yourself to our service or if you are an agency or professional you can refer directly on behalf of the children or young people which you work with using the referral form below. By providing your contact details, you consent to us contacting you by phone or e-mail to arrange a one-off advice session up to one hour with our Housing Caseworker, should you be eligible for the service.
Please click here to complete our referral form.
Confidentiality
This service is confidential. We will not communicate with anyone about your case without your consent, unless we consider that you or someone else is at risk of harm.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. We take all concerns seriously and strive to create a safe environment for everyone who engages with our services. Please note that we are not a statutory agency and do not have investigative powers. If you have a safeguarding concern or believe someone is at immediate risk of harm, we strongly encourage you to contact:
- Children’s Services via your local authority
- Adult Social Care Services via your local authority
- Police by calling 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergencies
If you are unsure who to contact, you can also reach out to the NSPCC Helpline at 0808 800 5000 for advice.
Child Law Advice Service
Coram Children’s Legal Centre’s Child Law Advice Service advises on community care issues, including on the duties and responsibilities of local authorities to children in need. Please visit the Child Law Advice website for full details of the service.
Migrant and refugee children
If you are seeking advice regarding local authority care for a child or young person subject to immigration control, including issues such as age assessments and leaving care support, see our fact sheets or contact the Migrant Children’s Project advice line.
