letter before action...how is this fair or even legal

[rkd2012]

So here is the story so far.....
I am a mum of three girls and a recovering alcoholic.
I returned to the uk 7 months ago fleeing a violent relationship with my soon to be ex husband.
The authoroties in the country in question where concerned about my drinking and came to see me however they left with assurances that I would return to the uk to seek help for my addiction.
There was only one visit from the authoroties following a call from a concerned neighbour. The police have never been involved with me or my children.

Following my return I promtly saught help for my problems. The husband does not have my address and I am currently 4.5 months sober.

I left my youngest child in the care of my mother and two older children with their father (not the violent ex)

Social services became involved shortly after my return and they decided that I must not remove my youngest from my mothers care although thisarrangement to date is still voluntary.

i had a period of 5 weeks abstinence before relapsing following an argument with my mother where she kicked me out and I became homeless.

I stopped drinking on 2nd august and since then with the help of aa have managed to remain abstinent. During the first 3 months of my recovery/abstinnce I was living in a high dependency hostel also known as a wet house surrounded by active alcoholics and drug users...im sure you can imagine that this was extremley difficult for me. As soon as possible I found a privatley rented flat this wasnt very easy given that I could only claim single person housing benefit as social services have so far refused to give my daughter back or write a letter stating that this is teir intention
I attend a day program POCAR and meet regularly with my IDVA also I attend aa meetings daily and activley work the steps.
All services that help me I have sourced myself and self reffered when necessary. Ihave recieved no help what so ever from the social services.

My daughter became subject to a child protection plan 17days after I stopped drinking, this I understood and accepted given my relitivly new sobriety despite the fact that during my relapse I had acted protectivley toward my daughter by not been around her or even attempting to see her having taken a drink.

Since 2nd of august ALL reports about me have been positive and all testing for drink and drugs negative
There are reports from my day program,hostel,IDVA and the place I volunteer at aswell as from the contact center ALL EXTREMLEY positive stating that I have turned my life around yet social services STILL refuse to let me see my daugters unattended.

I have been assured time and time again that after the parenting/risk assesment is completed this will change and the process of returning my daugter back to me will begin.

This assesment is due to be completed by the end of january after numerous and unacceptable delays from my social worker given that it was made clear back in the conference in august that it was to be completed.

Imagine my suprise to be given a letter before action yesterday stating that there are serious concerns about my child and that unless I improve the situation then my child will be taken into care?

I fail to see what more I can do to improve? I left the violent ex and remain abstinent from drink.

Social services also have no suggestions asto how I can improve in the section at the end of the letter stating what I can do to prevent court action it tells me to carry on doing what im doing? This isnt improvement? Does this mean they intend to take my child anyway?

The letter also states in the grounds for concern that I have a teenage son that alleged to the police that I physically abused him?
I DO NOT HAVE A SON nor have I ever been involved with the law full stop! Neither have any of my daughters made any allegations
In short I have NEVER harmed a child nor been accused of doing so.

How can social services invent a child?
I am a teacher....I could lose my job over this false accusation and ficticious child.

I have repeatedly asked social services to explain their role to me...made various official complaints about their treatment of myself and my daugters...all of which have been ignored

Please someone help
I have worked so hard to fix all of my problems all I want is my daughters back and I do not understand why social services refuse to let me have them? Why are they threatening legal action now when there is literally nothing more I can do than I already have been doing over the last 4-5months?

Can I sue them? Over intervention deformation of character slander breach of my human rights? Im sure under the freedom of information act they must answer my queries?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi rkd2012

Welcome to the board.

Sorry to hear about the distressing situation you find yourself in, particularly when you have made such great strides to become, remain sober and address any issues, to keep your children safe.

It is important to continue to engage with any supports 0808 2000 247 http://www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/or assessments that are being undertaken, as feedback about how these are progressing, will be crucial, in any care planning for your children at this time.

As stated in the Letter before proceedings, (whilst there may be factual errors contained in it), there is a risk they will take you to court because of concerns they continue to have about your parenting capacity.

Because the Local Authority continue to have serious concerns about your children's welfare, (so as recommended in the letter before proceedings), please obtain urgent legal advice without further delay on http://www.lawsociety.org.uk.

If you wish to challenge any aspects of the letter, significant delay in any family support you have or have not been offered, or the factual inaccuracies, you will have the opportunity to discuss these with your solicitor, in advance of the meeting.

Should you need to discuss your situation in more detail, please contact the Family Rights Group advice line on 0808 801 0366 Monday to Friday 09.30 am to 03.30 pm.

Best Wishes


Suzie