Child protection conference

[5aside]

Hi, first time posting!

Husbands children were removed from mothers care. We now have them. We have our first conference next week. As the children have been removed from her and we now have them what's the chances they will be placed on the child's protection list or will we get voluntary support?

Thanks!

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear 5aside

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

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

Your stepchildren have been removed from their mother’s care and are currently residing with you and your husband. There is to be an initial child protection conference to decide if the children will be placed on a child protection plan. You wish to know if this is likely now that the children are with you and their father.

A lot will depend on what the plan is for the children going forward. If their time with you is to be temporary whilst their mother addresses the concerns regarding her parenting that children’s services have then the children could return to her care under a child protection plan which would involve close monitoring by children’s services. Alternatively, if you and your husband decide that the children should remain with you and there are no safeguarding concerns for them living with you then a child protection plan may not be necessary.

If you and your husband decide that the children should live with you, then you should consider whether to have a court order to secure them in your care. This would mean applying for a live with child arrangement order. A child arrangement order which names you would give you shared parental responsibility for the children with their mother and your husband.

You may find it helpful to read in these links from our website more about child protection child protection and child arrangement orders . Should decide to apply for an order, Child Law Advice 0300 330 5480 offers advice on private law family matters.

If you have any further queries, you can post again or you can speak with one of our experienced regarding issues re-lated to children’s services. The advice line 0808 8010366 is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

I hope you find this helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie