Failed assessment but want to make sure our concerns are heard

[tryingtohelp]

After failing the initial assessment we were allowed a full assessment. It was quite clear though that from the wording that the assessment would most likely fail and after 1 joint session and 2 individual ones the SW in question stated that we would be getting a negative assessment and future sessions would not change this.

When trying to argue and challenge her discission she would not listen to my points as she used the i am been aggressive card). Most of her decision seemed not to be backed up by any facts but based on unsubstituted reports from years ago and that our current views did not match those reports. It looks like she did not investigate them as when pushed she said they were on the system so must be true. There were other things i am not happy about.

We are withdrawing as to be honest i could not work in a personal level with the social services now as i see it has been one way where your input is ignored. I just want to know though how i can raise our concerns since we have withdrawn from the process especially as they have prevents any access to the grandchild in question. Will we still be entitled to see the assessment and object to it and have a say in the matter?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear tryingtohelp

Welcome to the kinship carers’ discussion forum and thank you for for your post.

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group and I will respond to your post.

I am sorry that you have had negative assessments relating to your grandchild. You say that you had a failed viability assessment but then you were allowed to have a further full assessment. I assume that an independent social worker was the person did the full assessment and this was sanctioned by the court.

It is unfortunate that you have decided to withdraw as you could perhaps have asked the court to be joined to the court proceedings and, if successful, would be able to have the court hear from you. However, I understand from what you have written in your post that you do not feel able to continue working with children’s services (the new name for social services). Within the court arena, you may have been able to highlight the issues which you believe important so the judge would be aware. Also, social workers can be cross examined at a final hearing on the evidence given to the court.

You do not say why your contact has been suspended or stopped. If you grandchild is in foster care under an interim or final care order, and you have had a close rela-tionship with him or her, children’s services should consider with wider family mem-bers. There is information here about the duties children’s services have when a child is in their care under a court order.

It is possible to apply to the court for contact with a child in care.

You could ask to see the assessment but if you are no longer involved with the case this might be for the judge to decide. However, the assessment is about you so you are able to have the assessment. I am including links to information on our website which you may find helpful. See below

Care proceedings

Children in care under court order which includes information relating to contact for family members.

If you are no longer putting yourself forward to care for your grandchild, and with-drawn from the case you will no longer have a say in the case. The social worker does not have to discuss the case with you as you do not share parental responsibility for your grandchild and no longer part of the case. You could make a formal to t complain
children’s services about how you were treated by them but not in respect of the court case itself.

I really am sorry that you found the process so difficult that you decided to withdraw since it might have been possible for you to challenge a report based only on histori-cal information. The court’s main concern in reaching its decision about your grand-child will be his or her welfare.

Should you wish to speak to an adviser, you can telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

Hope this is helpful

Best wishes

Suzie