Partner being released from Prison

[Hihi234]

Hi, looking for some advice please, my partner is due to sit his parole in 2 weeks and will hopefully be released. His probation officer has contacted me late last week to ask for my consent to make a referral to social services in regards to my 2 year old child and safeguarding him on my partners release. My partner’s crimes were in 2021 and were three counts of robbery and possession of a bladed article, he was also using cocaine at this time which I suppose is another concern for his probation officer. These were his first offences and totally out of character for him due to the drug use (no excuse I know) does anyone know what next steps might be I’m just so anxious. My son is my first priority and I do not want this to disrupt him. Also to add my partner has no past of crimes against children or women

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Hihi234

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser.

I am sorry to hear about your difficult family situation. You are the mother of a two-year-old boy, who is your main priority. You are in a relationship with a person who is currently in prison but coming up for parole and may be released soon. His probation officer would like to make a referral with your consent to children’s services. This must be because your partner discussed with his probation officer that he is in a relationship with you and that you have a young child. The probation officer wants children’s services to assess your son’s needs and how he will be safeguarded following your partner’s release. Your partner's convictions are for robbery and possession of a bladed article, and he was using cocaine at the time. As far as you are aware, he has no other criminal history. You could consider making applications under Clare’s Law and Sarah’s Law to confirm this and to make sure that you have all the relevant information about your partner’s history.

You are understandably feeling anxious about what this involves. You do not want your son to be disrupted. I think that you did agree to this referral being made. If you did not, then the probation officer would need to decide whether it was necessary to make a referral without your consent. They can do so, if needed, to protect a child.

You are being a responsible and protective parent by seeking advice and information to help you prepare for an assessment and make decisions for your son. You haven’t done anything wrong; professionals have a duty to share information and work with parents to help them understand risk and make safe decisions for their child.

When children’s services receive a referral from another agency they must decide within 1 working day whether to offer an assessment. I would expect that they would want to assess to clarify what arrangements you are making for your son when your partner comes out of prison. You may find it helpful to look at this explanation of how children’s services’ work and the different processes that are applied depending on whether they are looking at offering help or support to a family or where they have child protection concerns.

If a social worker contacts you please do ask them to confirm if they are wanting you to agree to an assessment under section 17 which is about family support and services for a child in need or whether they are worried that your child may be at risk of suffering significant harm in which case they would legally be required to undertake child protection enquiries under section 47. From what you say, you are likely to be offered a child in need assessment.

You can find out exactly what is involved in a child in need assessment here. As your partner’s potential release from prison has triggered the referral then the social worker may want to discuss the reason for the referral (e.g. your partner’s offences), whether he has addressed his drug use etc and what your plans are for his involvement with your son. You don’t say if your partner is your son’s father and if so if he is named on his birth certificate (which would give him parental responsibility (PR) for your child). You have PR automatically and are the main decision maker for your son. So, the social worker will explore the context of the referral, your plans and if they have any concerns with you. Have you had an opportunity to consider what you want to do once your partner is released and how this impacts on your son?

It would be a good idea for you to know if/how your partner has addressed his drug use and what courses he has undertaken or support he has been able to access in prison to improve his situation. The probation officer should be able to clarify this. Your partner may be able to get advice/information from the charity Unlock if needed.

If you would like to speak to an adviser about your situation in more detail, please call the freephone advice line on 0808 8010366, Mon to Fri (9.30 am to 3.00pm).

You might find it useful to read our guide to working with a social worker to make sure that there is good communication between you from the beginning. An assessment is a process, so it is not possible to predict the outcome. But being prepared to work with the social worker, considering professionals’ views, continuing to focus on your son and to access advice will help you be actively involved and make informed decisions.

I hope this helps. Please get in touch for more advice or information if you need to once children’s services have contacted you.

Best wishes

Suzie

[ulenya]

It sounds like you’re thinking carefully about your child’s safety, which is the most important thing. Asking the probation officer for clear info on the process might help reduce some of the anxiety.