localauthoritylawyerasc | Local Authority Lawyer in Adult Social Care

What it’s like to work as an in house local authority lawyer: what I didn’t like

This is not a bitter confessional from a disgruntled employee, but it is only fair to acknowledge some of the challenges of working in local authority as an adult social care lawyer. I don’t work there anymore, so if I couldn’t give some negatives, you’d just assume I was lying! I spoke in my earlierContinue reading “What it’s like to work as an in house local authority lawyer: what I didn’t like”

What its like to work as an in house local authority lawyer: what I loved

For many, New Year is a time for reflection and 2021 has certainly been an eventful year. As regular readers of this blog will know, 2021 is also the year I left local authority and took a private practice role. It’s been nearly 6 months since then and I am (probation period dependant) settling intoContinue reading “What its like to work as an in house local authority lawyer: what I loved”

How the court decides best interests: part 1 What are my options?

I wanted to offer some practical insights on how the Court of Protection makes decisions about what is in a person’s (always referred to as P) best interests. Because it sounds simple, but it isn’t. And I’ve spoken to so many professionals and family members who are so clear that they are advocating for P’sContinue reading “How the court decides best interests: part 1 What are my options?”

Tips for statement writing: What lawyers really think when they read a statement

I am going to talk today about witness statements, but a lot of these principles will apply to any formal report that is used to evidence reasoning such as assessments for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, social circumstances reports etc. This is largely aimed at social care professionals, because family members and other ‘lay people’ willContinue reading “Tips for statement writing: What lawyers really think when they read a statement”

When lawyers really just need to do better

I have picked up a case recently in the Court of Protection, representing a family member of P. It is interesting, and when I say interesting you can read frustrating, time-consuming and way more complicated that it needs to be. The difficulty has nothing to do with P, and a lot to do with P’sContinue reading “When lawyers really just need to do better”

Life gets in the way

This is just a quick post to apologise for the lack of activity on here this month. I have a number of different posts half written, but have been struggling to focus and decide what to write about first. My case load is increasing at work, and I’m in the midst of Christmas preparations. AsContinue reading “Life gets in the way”

Much ado about financial deputies

I rarely delve into financial aspects of the MCA, partly because it comes up very rarely in my role, and partly because cases of interest are so infrequent. But I read this on a few weeks ago, and it’s been playing on my mind. The case of Sunil Kambli v Public Guardian and others [2021]Continue reading “Much ado about financial deputies”

The transformation of social care

I wanted to take some time to talk about the government’s announcement in relation to future social care funding. I am going to try very hard to put my political views to one side here, and just give you a breakdown of what was announced, and what this means for social care in England. TheContinue reading “The transformation of social care”

Reflections on my first in person client visit

I am aware that most of you reading this will be social care practitioners in one capacity or the other, so you will probably read this and chuckle. But I imagine how I felt during my first client visit is a lot like how non-lawyers feel the first time they are asked to come toContinue reading “Reflections on my first in person client visit”