Health visitor said no unsupervised contact

[HBCW12]

Hi, I have a 2 yearold and 2 health visitors and social services have said no unsupervised contact with child's dad, child or myself. I'm wondering if anyone knows any directions I can take from here? Bit of backstory he was arrested for dangerous driving, offensive weapons, manipulative and coercive abuse. I'm so lost and unsure of my next steps, solicitor? What will they do? Where will it go from there?

[Winter25]

Hi HBCW12,
I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this, it’s incredibly stressful, especially with a young child, and it’s completely understandable that you feel lost.

The most important thing to understand first is this: a health visitor and social services cannot legally “order” no unsupervised contact on their own. Only a court can impose a binding restriction like that. What they are doing right now is making a professional recommendation, not issuing a legal ban.

Because of the allegations you mentioned (dangerous driving, weapons, coercive control), they are taking a very risk-averse position while they assess things. That doesn’t automatically mean they think your child is unsafe with you, or that removal is imminent. It usually means they want to slow everything down and keep things supervised while they gather information.

What usually happens next is one of three things:

A single assessment / child in need assessment, where they look at risk, parenting, and support needs.

A temporary safety plan being suggested (not legally binding unless you agree to it).

In more serious cases, they may suggest you get legal advice if contact arrangements are disputed.

You asked what direction you can take now – here are the practical next steps that do not escalate things unnecessarily:

Ask for everything in writing. This is vital to keep a record of everything
Ask the social worker to confirm the following

1,Whether this is a recommendation or a legal requirement

2, What specific risks they believe exist

3, What needs to happen for unsupervised contact to be reconsidered

Do not agree to anything permanent “for now”.
If they suggest a safety plan, you are allowed to say you need time to take advice before agreeing. Don’t refuse outright, just don’t rush into it, say you want to get advise first!

Yes, speaking to a family solicitor is sensible.
Not because you’re “in trouble”, but because a solicitor can and should , Explain your rights, Stop professionals overstating their powers and Advise whether a court application is actually necessary.

Focus on yourself and your child.
If there are concerns about coercive or controlling behaviour, they will be looking closely at the following

Your insight
Your protective capacity
Whether you feel able to keep boundaries
Showing that you are thoughtful, reflective and child-focused matters a lot.

At this stage, nothing you’ve said automatically means court, removal, or permanent restrictions. It means professionals are cautious and covering themselves while they assess.
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For transparency: I’m not an adviser on this forum. I’m a parent with lived experience of children’s services involvement, courts and Local authorities , sharing information and peer support so people can understand the process and their rights.

[HBCW12]

Thank you my child is at no risk from being taken from me or any concerns from SW and HV, I'm taking all precautions to keep child safe, their health and safety is my priority. When I said "no unsupervised contact with dad, child and myself" I meant that me nor child can be alone with him, shes never left my sight around him, sorry for any confusion if there was any!

I'm sorry to hear you have been through similar, it's torture but thank you for your knowledge, it's really helped me with your guidance and insight around it all

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi, I have a 2 yearold and 2 health visitors and social services have said no unsupervised contact with child's dad, child or myself. I'm wondering if anyone knows any directions I can take from here? Bit of backstory he was arrested for dangerous driving, offensive weapons, manipulative and coercive abuse. I'm so lost and unsure of my next steps, solicitor? What will they do? Where will it go from there?

Thank you my child is at no risk from being taken from me or any concerns from SW and HV, I'm taking all precautions to keep child safe, their health and safety is my priority. When I said "no unsupervised contact with dad, child and myself" I meant that me nor child can be alone with him, shes never left my sight around him, sorry for any confusion if there was any!

I'm sorry to hear you have been through similar, it's torture but thank you for your knowledge, it's really helped me with your guidance and insight around it all

Dear HBCW12

Welcome to Family Rights Group parents’ discussion forum and thank you for posting.
My name is Suzie, the online adviser at Family Rights Group and I will respond to your two posts together.
In your first post you are querying what you can do as both health visitors and children’s services ( new name for social services) have suggested that the father of your 2 year old child should not have unsupervised contact with your child or you.
You have given a short background for your child’s father stating that he has been ‘arrested dangerous driving, offensive weapons, manipulative and coercive abuse’ Does he have convictions for these offences?

As you have been advised of the professionals’ concerns it is important you show you understand the reasons they are concerned for your child and your safety. Even if the father has no convictions, he shows a propensity to violence which could be directed at you and indirectly to your child.

Apart from unsupervised contact you do not mention any concerns about your care of your child. In your second post you have clarified that there are no safeguarding concerns regarding your care of your child now.

You ask what will they do, it appears you have been advised how to keep your child and yourself safe. There is an expectation that you adhere to the recommendations. If you do not, then you could be seen as unprotective of your child and this, in turn could trigger children’s services taking steps to carry out an assessment of your ability to care safely for your child. Worse case scenario your child could be removed either by the police or children’s services under emergency protection procedures.

Where it goes will depend on how you engage with children’s services and other professionals. If you wish to seek legal advice you can do as this may put your mind at ease. A solicitor will be able to explain children’s services procedures, expectations and your rights.

Happily, from your second post it appears that at this stage there are no safeguarding concerns but it seems you hope there can be unsupervised contact going forward. Children’s services can carry out a risk assessment of father to assess the level of risk the poses to you and your child. The outcome of the assessment could be high risk, medium risk, low risk or no risk. The outcome of this assessment would inform decisions about contact in the future.

Another poster responded and set out what they believe would be the process and it appears you took something from that advice but made it clear that there are no safeguarding concerns relating to your care of your child.

In this link you will find information about children’s services procedures when they receive a referral. You may find the information in this link helpful as some of the past behaviour of the father amounts to .domestic abuse

It may be that other parents on the forum who have experienced a similar situation will respond to your post to share their experiences with you.

Should you wish to speak with one of our experienced advisers, you can telephone our free confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

I hope you find this helpful

Best wishes

Suzie