Negative IVA help

[Justiceandhope]

Hi there, hope it’s ok me writing again for advice.

So we had our assessment almost 5 weeks ago and still no report, despite being told verbally 4 weeks ago it was negative.
I have complained about the way we were informed and have been told response is delayed and will get a response next week.
I have written to the director re delay in IVA report
(which I will appeal and have been told by the judge to do this) but again no response.

How can I get my IVA report??

So just to follow up, I have since found out the court ordered my IVA to be submitted by 9th Jan, which of course they have missed. I have spoken to a solicitor who will act for me.

[Robin D]

Welcome back.

I suspect you have little option but to wait. It's very common in my experience for such court deadlines to be missed. The judge will deal with it as they see fit including in a case we were in, demanding senior staff attend court to explain.

It's sooooo frustrating I know when you do everything that is asked of you and social workers seem to do as they please?

Don't let them grind you down.

Robin

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi there, hope it’s ok me writing again for advice.

So we had our assessment almost 5 weeks ago and still no report, despite being told verbally 4 weeks ago it was negative.
I have complained about the way we were informed and have been told response is delayed and will get a response next week.
I have written to the director re delay in IVA report
(which I will appeal and have been told by the judge to do this) but again no response.

How can I get my IVA report??

So just to follow up, I have since found out the court ordered my IVA to be submitted by 9th Jan, which of course they have missed. I have spoken to a solicitor who will act for me.

Dear Justiceandhope

Thank you for the update.

I am sorry that I cannot advise you about how to get a physical copy of the assessment – the court is helping there and from what you have written you have tried all the ‘avenues open to you’.

May I signpost you to our Top Tips and Templates – Letter 3, it has some helpful paragraphs you might use when challenging the assessment.

Our guide, the Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A good practice guide may help too.

Best wishes
Suzie

[Justiceandhope]

Hi I just wanted to share my IVA experience. I submitted an application for party status and appealed my negative IVA as advised after speaking to the judge. The IVA took 9 weeks and is littered with lies. The judge did not uphold my appeal and has instructed an addendum to my IVA. They are placing my 7 month granddaughter with a great aunt who is a heavy drinker, indoor smoker, has no space, indebt, is highly openly critical of me and my son, has a personality disorder and an outstanding ABH investigation. Her fiancé has had no assessment is also a heavy drinker and smoker has a daughter but no relationship with and we don’t know why, has history of DV, far right views and an incomplete police check! My son has raised these concerns but they just don’t care. They have made up their mind and that’s it, it seems we cannot challenge it or change it at all. They collectively work together in a world that I don’t have insight into. I am truly frightened for my granddaughter. I thought I would get a fair chance, but it’s biased and feels set up. She is just a number that they need to move on and historic 12 years ago children service involvement has said no. I wish I was more prepared for their games, their agenda and their closed joined up efforts!

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Justiceandhope,

I am sorry to hear about your experience and understand that you are concerned about the welfare of your granddaughter.

It sounds that you have done your utmost to be considered as a carer for your granddaughter, despite the seemingly likely outcome that she will be placed with another family member. However it is positive that the judge has instructed an addendum to your assessment. Although this is not the same as a complete new assessment, it will still give you the opportunity to put across your views and opinions, as well as consideration being made about whether you might be able to care for your granddaughter.

Your son can continue to challenge decisions about his daughter through the court process with the support of his solicitor who is best placed to advise. He should ensure that his solicitor is aware of his concerns about the family members who are likely to be caring for his daughter.

I hope that you are receiving emotional support during this difficult time. It may be helpful for you to look at our useful links page HERE as it has details of organisations that can provide emotional support. You may also find the following organisations helpful as they provide support to grandparents specifically:

Both Parents Matter: Grandparents Support Group
The Bristol Grandparents Support Group

I hope that this is of some help,

Best wishes,
Suzie