Rachel Maclean

Rachel is a Regional Director and Head of Care for Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas. She has over 25 years of legal experience in child care and family law, where she has worked as an in house advocate across the Midlands and the South. Rachel has used this time to improve and develop her advocacy skills representing children, parents, Guardians and other family members. She has appeared before all levels of the Judiciary across the regions and represented clients at all types of hearings. Rachel directs hearings and has contested removal hearings and lengthy trials including Fact Find hearings where children were injured. She has represented parents and Guardians in final hearings that ran beyond 5 days. Rachel has been on the Children’s Panel since July 2000 and represented many children throughout her career and feels that representing the Children is always the greatest honour. Rachel has a wealth of experience representing Children in public law and 16.4 cases. She has represented many Eastern European families and has an understanding of their issues and difficulties. Many of her cases have had jurisdictional elements. She has regularly advised parents and family members who have learning difficulties, lack capacity and require the assistance of the Official Solicitor. She recently represented a parent from overseas and their access to representation was a challenge because of the logistics. However, this parent was able to take part fully in the the proceedings before the High Court and Rachel ensured that they were assessed and contact with the child was re established. The Local Authority refused to assess the father and she had to argue that the case was not ReBS complaint and that assessment had to be carried out despite all of the practical problems . The Court gave permission for a specialist ISW to do an assessment. The logistics were very challenging because it took the Local Authority 6 months to do the paternity test. Rachel has considerable experience dealing with complex Non Accidental Injury cases, including brain injuries, bruising and fractures. She has dealt with cases involving sexual abuse, emotional harm and neglect. Rachel has advised parents and children in care cases involving Deprivation of Liberty and Aeecure accommodation applications. She has a wealth of experience dealing with Domestic Abuse, Relocation, Parental alienation and all private law cases. Rachel has also advised on Surrogacy cases. Rachel completed her Vulnerable Witness training and believes this complements her Children’s Panel membership and helps ensure that all parties in cases have a fair hearing and support within these complex proceedings Outside of the legal field, Rachel enjoys listening to Radio 4, podcasts and reading. She likes to spend time outside, gardening and walking. Rachel also takes an interest in history and enjoys attending concerts.