Advice

[Rough_justice]

Hello there,

I'm a new member. My partner was recently involved in care proceedings in relation to her oldest son who is ten.

Her son has been in Foster care for three years and my partner went to Court to try and get him back. Needless to say, because we both work full time legal aid was not available and so my partner was forced to represent herself. Despite the judge commending my partners considerable change of circumstances, they ruled in favour of social services. Contact was however increased to one session per month - supervised.

Social services tried to stop indirect phone call contact but after questioning by the judge it was agreed that this would take place once per month in between direct contact. My partners son had asked for direct contact repeatedly. He has also continually asked to come home. His foster carers do their level best to prevent this indirect contact. Social services have also failed to promote this.

They claim that it would upset my partners son. We know full well that he wants to come home or at the very least have regular contact. Social services are doing their level best to prevent this.

To compound matters, since the Court hearing, social services have now decided to take action in relation to my partners daughter [also in care with different Foster parents.] indirect contact was frequent and promoted by the carers. A previous social worker had put this in place due to my partners daughters mental health. They have now taken this away and only allow one telephone call per month despite being fully aware of the impact.

The Foster carers have raised this with social services and been told tough. At the above court hearing this was mentioned in evidence and both CAFCASS and the judge were satisfied with the frequency. Social services are now trying to say that the court order states once per month which is complete rubbish.

We are deeply concerned with the actions of social services and the impact that this will have on both children.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Rough_justice

Welcome to the Board.

I am sorry to read that your partner has not been successful in her attempt to have her son returned to her care.

Reunification after a period in care must be considered carefully and from what you say your partner has worked hard to change or eliminate the concerns that initially brought her children to the attention of Children’s Services.

The chair of the review conferences, the IRO, what is/was their view of your partner’s suggestion and subsequent request to the courts? The IRO should have access to both children and should listen to their views and meet with them before the review meetings, is this happening? This may be an area your partner can explore more. Additionally, an advocate may be useful for the children if as you say they are not being heard, you may find one through the National Youth Advocacy Service or Coram Voice.

It is not clear to me why contact is supervised but it may be considered a positive thing that contact has been increased, perhaps your partner can use the forthcoming sessions to prove that her children benefit from a higher level of contact and then work towards getting unsupervised contact, which may prove to be the prelude to overnight stays and finally return home. Our advice sheet, Reuniting children in the care system with their families, has some information that you may find useful.

It is difficult to say why your partner was unsuccessful. If you have not already done so, it may be useful if you both went through the court order thoroughly to see exactly what it says about contact between your partner and her daughter. Perhaps you or she should ring our confidential helpline to discuss in-depth your partner’s background story and whether we can help her once we hear what led up to the decisions you have described.

Our advice service is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.00pm on 0808 801 0366.

Best wishes

Suzie