Family Rights Group | Kinship carers’ Forum

Hi all,

I recently posted because I had been told my IVA would be likely negative and I was looking for advice. Thanks to the wonderful advice here I am now part of tomorrow’s court proceedings.

But I just feel I have to share this clanger! My assessment was 7 days ago, I am waiting for the outcome and report.
Today we had a FGC there were 9 other family members present. We were advised we would be answering questions related to my son.. number 1 plan and we would be answering questions about plan 2 - child goes to great aunt under an SGO. I said I have also had an assessment and am waiting for the report so are we talking about that support plan? The SW said no we’re not talking about that because your assessment is negative and I told you that at the end of the assessment. This was the first I had heard of this… I’m still waiting for my report. I did lambast her for a breech of confidentially and complete unprofessionalism by dropping this here.
The FGC completely collapsed as everybody said this is ridiculous, one member of the group is a human rights lawyer!
I just wanted to share the absurdity of it really!! Talk about the meetings not turning out as you think. But in all of this my granddaughter stays in care longer, which is heart breaking.
I will be speaking to a solicitor tomorrow about the assessment but I can’t do anything until I have the written report!
What a rollercoaster this is!

Totally unprofessional and bang out of order. Hope things go better in the court.

You need to think about putting in a formal complaint. Can't provide the link at the moment as replying on the phone, but I think @Suzie gave you a link in an earlier post.

The link to the complaints page is https://frg.org.uk/get-help-and-advice/what/complaints/.

Thanks Robin
I will do this definitely but thanks being part of proceedings meant I was able to speak directly to the court. No one within the court has had a copy of my negative IVA and I feel really confident in turning this around, the judge said I sincerely hope the negative assessment is not based on historical child services involvement. Which is exactly what I was told.

So to everyone don’t give up! Follow what you believe is right and don’t be frightened of social care, they do not hold all the power whilst they like to portray they do!

That's excellent news. Hopefully Children's Services will now have a rethink. The LA solicitor/barrister will have reported back to their legal department.

Too early to to party, but a good step in the right direction.

I hope the court experience was not too stressful for you.

Keep up the good fight .... Robin