Dictionary of Family Court Words - S

S

Safeguarding Making sure people are safe

Safeguarding Plan Document setting out what Children's Services think should be done to keep a child safe

Sale of Property Order When the Court says you have to sell some property

Schedule 1 Offender A person who has been found guilty of a sexual offence or an assault on a child

Section 8 Order Court order about who the child will live with or meet and other big steps in the child's life

Secure Accommodation The Judge sends a child somewhere where they will be safe and cannot leave until the Judge says so

Secure Periodical Payments Order Money for maintenance which must be paid

Sex Offenders Register When a person is found guilty of a sexual offence they are told by the Court that for a certain length of time (e.g. 10 years) they must tell the police where they are living

Sexual Abuse Making someone do something sexual they do not want to do, making someone watch something sexual they do not want to watch, touching someone in a sexual way that they do not want

Sexual Violence Any touching or hitting done in a sexual way

Siblings Brothers and sisters

Significant Harm Very bad things have happened to a child

Social Worker Someone who helps and supports families who need extra help

Solicitor Person who helps you with what is happening to your child. Someone who will advise / speak for you in Court. Legal expert

Solicitor for the Child A legal person who is only there for the child in Court

SOPO Sexual Offences Prevention Order - When a person is found guilty of a sexual offence the Court can make an order forbidding them to do something (e.g. they must not live in a house where there is any child under 16 living)

Special Guardian Person the Court says cares for your child forever

Special Guardianship Order An order which allows the child to live forever with someone other than their parents

Special Needs Any person who needs extra help

Specific Issues Order A Court decision about an important mat ter

Statement What someone wants to tell the Judge, put into writing

Statutory Review Looking again at the arrangement for a child living away from home. This is done at regular intervals as set out by the law.

Step Sister / Brother Child of your parent's partner

Supervised Contact An arrangement for a child to see someone with someone else there

Supervision Order A court order that a Social Worker is to help, befriend and advise

PHR Solicitors family and divorce solicitors have a wide range of experience dealing with many different types of family dispute. They have helped hundreds of clients to resolve family - related issues; whether it's divorce and separation issues, child care, civil partnership or complex cohabitation issues.

In addition PHR Solicitors hold a legal aid franchise for family matters. This means that public funding may be available to fund your case.

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PHR Solicitors would like to thank Cumbria Local Family Justice Council for allowing the use of the contents of the Family Law Dictionary.