Claims Against Social Services
If you or a loved one has been a victim of abuse due to negligence by social services, our lawyers could help you make a compensation claim.
Why choose Irwin Mitchell for a claim against social services?
Whether you're a survivor of abuse yourself, or the parent or guardian of a child who has been abused, our specialist team of child abuse solicitors can help. We have years of experience in helping people to claim compensation settlements that can fund the therapy and counselling you need to help you move on with your life.
We work in total confidentiality with our clients, and our lawyers are highly trained in working with abuse survivors. We understand how difficult and painful it can be to bring up the details of past abuse, and at every step of the way we aim to make sure you're comfortable discussing your case with us.
Some of the social services abuse cases we've worked on include:
- A £20,000 settlement for a woman who was sexually abused by clients of her mother, a prostitute, after she had been returned to her mother's care despite social services being aware of the risks – find out more about this case.
- A compensation package for a Camden woman who suffered years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse from her own mother. Social services failed to protect her or monitor her wellbeing, even after numerous concerns were raised by neighbours – find out more about this case.
If you want to find out more about making a child abuse claim, or just to talk with an expert in a free initial consultation on your case.
Who can commit abuse?
You may be able to claim against social services if the local authority failed to manage your family appropriately, leaving you in a situation where you suffered abuse or neglect that could have been avoided. We've acted for hundreds of children and adults who suffered due to the failings of social workers, in cases where abuse has been committed by:
- Parents
- Siblings
- Foster carers
- Visitors to a family home
- Relatives
- People in positions of authority.
Abuse cases can be complex and emotionally taxing. Our dedicated team of abuse solicitors has extensive experience making claims against social services and a high success rate in securing justice and compensation settlements for victims of abuse (both children and adults), while handling all cases in a caring and sensitive manner.
Meet a specialist from our team
Our market leading team will help you understand your rights, secure the compensation you’re owed, and access vital support – from rehabilitation to long-term care.
When would you make a claim against social services?
You may be able to claim against social services if you were under the organisation's care when the abuse happened, or if neglect on the part of a social worker put you in a situation where you were abused. The abuser doesn't have to be someone employed by social services - it could have been a parent, siblings, a family member, a foster carer or a visitor to your family home that social services failed to protect you from.
Cases of abuse involving social services negligence can take place in a variety of settings:
- The family home
- At school
- Foster homes
- Children’s homes.
If it can be shown that social services did not provide you with adequate care or failed to take reasonable steps that could have prevented the abuse from taking place, you may be able to make a claim. Any claim will normally be made against the local authority responsible for the department or service that should have prevented the abuse.
Speak to a Specialist
We are here to help you understand your rights and the support you need. Complete our enquiry form and one of our experts will contact you by the next working day.
Alternatively, you can call us now.
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (Excluding Public Holidays).
0800 0232 233
Making an enquiry
We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.
Complete our online formWe need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phoneOn the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointmentIf we’re able to support you further, the next step is an appointment with one of our specialists so we can discuss everything in more detail.
Frequently asked questions about social service abuse claims
We talk to people everyday about their abuse claims against social services. Here are the most commonly asked questions.Many of our cases are funded with a no win no fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk to you when making a compensation claim.
At the start of your case, we'll discuss funding options with you, advising you which we think is most suitable. You may be eligible for legal aid, or be covered by legal expenses insurance (LEI) or a trade union policy. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household or car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.
If we think you're best supported by a no win no fee agreement, we'll explain the process clearly. You'll only have to pay anything if your claim is successful – your opponent will pay most of our fees, with the remaining costs coming out of your compensation settlement.
Our commitment to you
Our experts always start by listening, so we understand what matters most from day one.- 01Clear legal guidance
You will always get straightforward, honest advice, with regular updates to keep you clear on the way forward.
- 02Specialist knowledge
A wide-ranging team of trusted specialists who understand what it takes to protect your future, your family or your business.
- 03Your needs first
Whether you’re navigating complex personal situations or business decisions, we take the time to understand your world and what’s at stake.