S.S risk assessment

[Indepwoman]

Hi,
A anoymous call was made to SS stating my partner is left unattended with my children.

I have know my partner for 15+years but been together for nearly 2yrs. He was found guilty of two sexual offenses to children with led to him being on the SOR for 7yrs. This was over 15yrs ago and there has been no concerns or alligations since. He has had relationships with women who have children who also have had no concerns.
SS visited today and spoke in detail about these offenses, spoke with my two children and will be contacting their dad and school. SS wernt very nice, stating im putting my children at risk and that offenders dont change.
My partner has always been open and honest with me about his convictions which SS where suprised about. I told SS that i understand there are potentional risks but also that people change and that i dont have any active concerns. If i was to have any concerns then i would contact the police without hesitation.
The offensises are historic and Only I bathe, dresses and puts the kids to bed, they have never been left alone with him for more than 30min.
What can or will they do now? Has anyone experienced this, any adivce/support is appriciated. Myself and my partner are currently in bits about this and i dont want any of this to impact my children. SS have put a plan in place staring he cant be alone with the children, carry out any personal care and that i need to apply for Sarahs Law.

Thank you

[Decante]

Hi there,

I'm sorry you are going through and awful time.

I've not been in the situation myself but I have worked with a few people that were on SOR and haven't done anything since but did have partners with kids and social services involvement.

Like any other case he shouldn't be judged on his past although due to the nature of his previous offence this is hard not too. Anyone with sexual offences can be a risk regardless if they have or haven't done anything since the first offences. Due to the nature SS do have a duty to protect children from any future risks, but you know the risks these impose and you know that leaving your children even for 10 mins in the care of your partner could put them at risk. You have said he doesn't carry out personal care etc and social services have a plan in place where he can't be left alone to carry out these tasks you can apply for Sarah's law this gives a detailed insight as to what your partner was charged with and why he had to sign on the SOR even if he had told you some information or not all it's best to have so you know what to look out for.

I believe people can change with the right support in place but it doesn't come with out the risks and urges. Social services can do parenting assessments aswell as risk assessment they can also find out if he's had support or been on courses for his offenses I do know that some offenders are offered courses/therapy so they don't reoffend again it maybe that he is asked to do these again as refreshers, they will also check out and make sure there has been no police involvement since, they could speak to the children either in school or with you present, I know they generally try and do it with out a parent there due to influences and children being scared not to say anything.

We have to remember that when an anon phonecall has been made social services has a duty to investigate it may well be that the outcome is they could be satisfied and doesn't always lead to child in need or child protection. But again it depends on the offences that were commited. I know it's hard not to worry but try not too and listen and do what is asked, sometimes we go above and beyond of what is asked.

But hopefully things will sort it self out and you can move on from this.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi,
A anoymous call was made to SS stating my partner is left unattended with my children.

I have know my partner for 15+years but been together for nearly 2yrs. He was found guilty of two sexual offenses to children with led to him being on the SOR for 7yrs. This was over 15yrs ago and there has been no concerns or alligations since. He has had relationships with women who have children who also have had no concerns.
SS visited today and spoke in detail about these offenses, spoke with my two children and will be contacting their dad and school. SS wernt very nice, stating im putting my children at risk and that offenders dont change.
My partner has always been open and honest with me about his convictions which SS where suprised about. I told SS that i understand there are potentional risks but also that people change and that i dont have any active concerns. If i was to have any concerns then i would contact the police without hesitation.
The offensises are historic and Only I bathe, dresses and puts the kids to bed, they have never been left alone with him for more than 30min.
What can or will they do now? Has anyone experienced this, any adivce/support is appriciated. Myself and my partner are currently in bits about this and i dont want any of this to impact my children. SS have put a plan in place staring he cant be alone with the children, carry out any personal care and that i need to apply for Sarahs Law.

Thank you

Dear Indepwoman

Welcome to the parents’ discussion forum and thank you for posting.

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group. I am sorry that you find yourself in this difficult situation due to a referral being made to children’s services and the nature of your partner’s past conviction.

You have had a helpful response from another poster.

Children’s services have a duty to act on a referral they receive and should do so within 1 day. They have already contacted you and your children and there is a safety plan in place. You do not mention if the social worker informed you of the assessment that will be carried out. Due to your partner’s history, the decision may be to do s.47 child protection enquiries. This will involve the social worker speaking with you, your children’s father (as mentioned), the children’s school or nursery and with any other professionals involved with you and your children. These enquiries might result in the social worker recommending child protection plan for the children. You can read more about this HERE It is possible that the outcome could be child in need and the information is . HERE. This will of course depend on the outcome of the investigations/enquiries carried out.

My advice is that you work with the safety plan and ensure that your partner also ad-here to what is asked of him by children’s services. Failure to do so could result in children’s services escalating the matter.

The expectation of children services is that you show yourself to be protective of your children. The fact that you left the children in your partner’s care even for a short period (you mentioned half an hour) could be seen at placing them at risk. Whilst I understand that you may trust your partner not to harm your children, there are no guarantees due to his history.

You may find it helpful to contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation on 0808 100 0900who offers advice to perpetrators as well as their family where sexual abuse is an issue. The NSPCC also runs a women as protectors programme which you may wish to enquire about this. Here is their number 0808 800 5000

The likelihood is that children’s services will carry out a risk assessment of your partner to ascertain the level of risk he might pose to your children.

I advise you very strongly to apply for Sarah’s Law information so you can make an informed decision. Whilst your partner has shared his conviction(s) with you, there may be more you need to be aware of. Doing this as soon as possible will demonstrate you are acting to put your children’s needs first. Minimising your partner’s past or offer any justification for his behaviour may result in children's services forming a view that you may not be protective of your children.

You may find it helpful to read information on our website where sexual abuse is a concern.

I hope you find this helpful. Should you wish to speak with an adviser, you can tele-phone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30a. to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

Best wishes

Suzie