Help with email to SW

[Earthsomg]

Hi, am desperately looking for advice.
At a recent meeting, a social worker asked me to confirm whether my child's father and a joint tenant were the same person. I wasn't able to answer clearly at the time as my child was in the room and I didn't want that conversation happening in front of him.
I've since written a follow-up letter clarifying things: the father and I co-parent and share a tenancy, but aren't in a relationship. His everyday name differs from his legal name for unrelated reasons, and I've offered for the social worker to verify his identity directly with him.
A few questions:
•Is it reasonable to suggest meeting somewhere neutral, like a park, so my child isn't present for that conversation but the social worker still gets to see us both?
•Am I required to disclose unrelated family matters (e.g. an inheritance dispute with siblings) if they're not about my child?
•Any risk in clarifying something in writing after not answering clearly the first time, even though it was to protect my child from an adult conversation?
I haven't reached a solicitor yet and would appreciate any guidance before I send anything. Thank you.

[VD2ER]

I've had some contact with Social Workers from having children in care.

A Social Worker will be concerned over being fobbed of with an explanation over names and whether your partner is your child's father without a lot of explaining.

Some men on the sex offenders register use alternative names, hence the alarm bells. I would suggest her fears are allayed ASAP.

Etiquette should be the SW talk to you in private out of earshot of your child. This should not be an issue. I would make your wishes known in writing saying you are uncomfortable with an adult conversation in front of your child.

Do these issues of inheritance have any bearing on your child? If not I see no reason to volunteer the subject. If asked I would be as open as possible.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Earthsomg,

Welcome to the parents forum and thank you for your post. My name is Suzie and I am the online adviser here at Family Rights Group. I am sorry to hear about this situation and I hope the following advice and information is helpful.

If you wish to speak with the social worker and don’t want your child to be present then it is perfectly reasonable to ask for this to be arranged. You suggest meeting in a park, presumably so that you can speak with the social worker whilst your child is playing, or you could arrange for a phone call or meeting when your child is not in your care (whilst they are at school/nursery etc).

You ask if you are required to disclose unrelated family matters. It is usually best to be open and honest with professionals involved, and if the matter may be impacting on the family dynamics then it may be relevant to your child (in an indirect way). However you are not legally obliged to share information about an inheritance dispute.

And finally, it is sensible to clarify in writing anything which you feel that you did not answer clearly during a meeting with the social worker. You can explain why you felt unable to speak openly with your child present.

I hope that this is helpful. Please post again if you have any further queries or you can call our free, confidential adviceline on 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3pm). We also have a webchat which is currently open on Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Best wishes,
Suzie