Should I tell my social worker?

[Shoegirl]

I have recently compiled a timeline of incidents that my x has done through his actions that affect how my children behave, speak and want to spend time with me.
My 3 children live with the father due to my alcohol abuse, he was asked to move out as his DV/DA was effecting the children and it was my house.
Since being in recovery for 8 months sober he has tried to isolate me from the children and is now taking me to court for full custody and supervised visits (filed when I was in 4 months solid recovery) the SW has formed a great bond with him and as soon as he feels things aren’t going his way barriers go up from SS and time gets reduced.
I have spoken to my solicitor and he has advised it’s up to me to sent the timeline - saying if she hasn’t know she can’t help, but she is very much in his side and I don’t know if it would jeopardise my time supervised with the children.
This timeline has incidents from December- will she take them seriously or think that the court date is very soon and not believe me ?
Any advice hold be greatly appreciated

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Shoegirl,
Thank you for your post and welcome to the parents’ forum.

I am Suzie, an online adviser for Family Rights Group replying to you today.
I am sorry to hear about your stressful situation.

You explain that you are in recovery from addiction and are responding to your ex-partner and father of your three children’s application for child arrangements order for the children to live with him and supervised contact only for yourself. You have a solicitor who is advising you on your response to this application.

Family Rights Group are not a specialist agency on private family law, but you could find useful online resources on the Child Law Advice website here.

You do not fully explain the social worker’s role and involvement. They could be involved to complete a S.7 report for the family court to consider in the child arrangements order hearing only. You can read more about S.7 reports on the Cafcass website here.

However, you mention that the social worker makes decisions about your level of contact with the children which leads me to believe that your children may be on a child protection plan also. You can read more about child protection plans here.

Your question concerns your decision as to whether to share the timeline of actions of your ex that you believe have had an impact on the children with the social worker. I believe that it is better to be frank and communicative about any issues that you feel influence the children’s welfare. Obviously, you would need to keep the conversation child focused and avoid venturing into discussion of disputes with your ex. You should emphasise that you are willing to work with the social worker to ensure that the children are safe and well and that they do not feel caught in the middle of any parental disagreement. It is good that you have organised the information for the timeline.

I hope this was of some help.

You can call our free, confidential adviceline on 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3pm) to speak in person with an adviser. We also have a webchat which is currently open on Monday and Thursday afternoons, and an advice enquiry form.
Best wishes,
Suzie