Social Worker is a Bully

[VDTGE2]

Hi
3 of my children were put into care because basically my social worker is a lier and a bully, I made a complaint about her and a week later my children were removed.
Not gonna lie I'm a recovering addict, I spent 20 years in an abusive relationship and he used drugs as a way to control me.
I'm clean now and i'm trying to improve myself as a mother, but i get no support from the social worker at all, if anything all she does is run me down and scare me by saying that my 2 younger children are going to go up for adoption.
I don't know what to do anymore, I ve tried making a complaint but that made matters worse, ive requested through my solicitor that they change the social worker but nothing has happened.
I'm back in court in September and I know if i still have this social worker there is no chance I will get my kids back

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear VDTGE2

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

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group and I will be responding to you post.

I see from your post that you are involved in care proceedings relating to your children. The main issue you have raised is that you are unhappy with the social worker because she has told lies to remove your children from your care. Whilst it is important to think about how you work with the social worker and children’s services, it is also very important that you fully understand the concerns that have led to their involvement.

Having no knowledge of the background to your case, I assume that children’s services received a safeguarding referral at some point which led to their involvement with your family.

You have mentioned that you are a recovering addict and was in an abusive relationship for 20 years which is partly responsible for your drug use. Also, you say that you are clean now and working hard to be a good mother. It is important that you can evidence the work you have done or doing to the court. Hair strand testing would show that you are no longer using drugs. If you have engaged with domestic abuse services, then it would confirm that you now have a better understanding of abuse and how to keep yourself and your children safe.

A request to change a social worker can be made but children’s services do not have to change the social worker. You may find it helpful to read our GUIDE about working with social workers.

I am also including a link to care proceedings which explains court procedures and what the judge must consider before making care orders. You mentioned a hearing in September if this is the final hearing then your legal representatives will be able to question the social worker on the issues you state she ‘lied’ about. It may be that you will have the opportunity to give evidence, but you would also be questioned on the issues that are of concern relating to your care of your children.

My suggestion is that between now and the hearing in September you discuss with your solicitor what you need to do to have the best outcome for you and your children. Try to change your focus from the social worker and focus on what you need to do as this will be the best way to get the outcome you want.

You may find it useful to look at this information related to drug use and the concerns children’s services will have for the children. Also, HERE about how children's services and the court look into drugs use.

Should you wish to speak with one of our experienced advisers, 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).

Best wishes

Suzie