This guide has been created to help providers submit Special Children Act (SCA) applications.
Not all screens required to complete an SCA application are detailed in this guidance. Only screens where SCA related actions need completed have been included.
To begin, click New Application.
From the Category of Law option select Family and click Next.
NOTE: When submitting an SCA application the application type will always be Substantive.
From the Application Type options select Substantive and click Next.
When submitting an SCA application the use of delegated functions and the date of use will be recorded during the merits assessment.
Even if you have used delegated functions you must answer the Delegated Functions Used question with No.
Click Next.
When entering your clients details in SCA cases you should always tick the Vulnerable Client option.
Choosing vulnerable client will prevent any correspondence being sent to the address of the client.
Click Next.
To ensure client correspondence is sent to your office click General Details.
To ensure client correspondence is sent to your office change the Preferred Address option to Provider Office.
Often with SCA applications multiple cases may need to be linked together using the family lead case – family associated case method. To make the process of creating and linking multiple cases quicker visit the Copying Case Information guidance.
Click Confirm when linking cases is complete.
To begin setting up proceedings and costs, click Proceedings and Costs.
Click Add Proceeding.
From the Matter Type options select Special Children Act and click Next.
A list of SCA related proceedings will be displayed. From the Proceeding options choose the proceeding you wish to apply for and click Next.
Although this is an SCA application the Means and Merits Assessments need to be completed. When the Means Assessment is accessed it completes as a formality.
To start the Merits Assessment click Merits Assessment.
During the merits assessment a question about delegated functions will be asked.
Answer the question as appropriate and click Next.
When all sections of the application are marked as complete the application can be submitted to the LAA for assessment.
Click Complete Application to begin the submission process.
NOTE: Please be aware that applications to extend a Supervision order, made under Schedule 3, Part II Children Act 1989, do not fall within the definition of “Special Children Act cases” contained in Regulation 2 of the Civil Legal Aid (Merits Criteria) Regulations 2013, and therefore must be applied for on a means and merits tested basis, as Public Law Children applications.