Advice needed

[Anon1310]

Does anyone have any idea why social services would contact an absent parent? My 15yo daughter who doesn’t see her father got a call from him last week to say he had received a letter from social services asking for him to contact them. We have never had dealings with social services and I have received nothing

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Anon1310

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board and thank you for posting. Apologies for being able to respond to your query before now as the forum is very busy at the moment.

The situation you describe is unusual. I can’t really say why they might have been in touch if you and your daughter:
* Do not have a social worker now,
* Have never had one and
* If you are both satisfied that your daughter does not have any difficulties at the moment that might require social work support.

Could the letter be about another child (if your daughter’s father has another child) or another child in his family network (sometimes children’s services involve wider family members if they are trying to put together a support plan for a child).

Hopefully, you will have found out what the contact was about by now but if not your ex-partner should certainly get in touch with them to clarify. Or you could query this too.

If children’s services were to become involved with your daughter for any reason you would need to be informed and included, as her mother and a parent with parental responsibility . Only in certain exceptional situations can children’s services speak to a child without a parent’s permission – where the child could be intimidated into silence, where important evidence could be destroyed or where a child does not want a parent involved and is able to make that decision.

I hope the matter gets cleared up but please do post again or call the freephone advice helpline on 0808 801 0366 Mon- Fri 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. if you have another query about children’s services.

With best wishes

Suzie