what are the odds ??

[pongo99]

hi folks havnt been on for a while as most of you know we have a r/o on g/c who is now 6 we have had r/o about 4/5 years boy oh boy life as been trying to say the least with the birth mother as most know she also had another child now 3 who was taken off her at birth who resides with the other g/parents they are going for a s/g/o which i belive may be granted this december
however birth mother informs we that she as been to childrens services an solicitor with the view to getting first daughter back ?? but not opose the s/g/o to the other child
what are the odds of her being able to succeed ??
she hasnt changed she still puts herself first treats first child like a pawn still goes off clubbin argues swears drinks even drugs at visits spends more time on her phone than having quality time with daughter even hit daughter also fiddles bennifits an as been for almost 4 /5 years
your comments would be greatfuly recieved

best regards to you all pongo99

[Robin D]

I'm not a betting man, but as you asked, I would say the odds are at least 100:1 against mum overturning a RO after that length of time. The courts will want good reason to overturn the RO and there will have to have been significant change in the circumstances. Given that the courts are about to make a SGO for the second child, why would they look very hard at the first placement?

I suspect its a bit of a pipe dream. However, if she does apply to the court she does not need the leave of the court to do so (unlike a SGO). Should she, I would counter apply for a SGO yourselves on the grounds that its clearly needs to protect the child. Yes you have to go through the hassle of another assessment, but it gives you much more security and the right to exercise PR to exclusion of others. Any future application by Mum would then have to go through the additional step of seeking leave to apply.

All that said, I really hope you have continued to keep a detailed diary and notes. Should she apply, they will be crucial to show that there has been no sustained improvement in her behaviour over the months and years. Delivering facts that say on a specific day something happened, is much more credible than a list of whinges about her bad behaviour.

I suspect and hope it all blows over for you, but if not, its best to be prepared.

Good luck ..... Robin

[pongo99]

thank you yes we still keep a daily record be it if she turns up phones etc swears shouts hits late turning up an going only last week g/d came to we and said look what mom as done ie a slap mark on her back