baby on CPP

[mimzy1991]

Had an initial child protection conference yesterday and mykk unborn baby has been put on a plan. There was no outline plan mentioned,.a legal adviser was there and Im worried sick. The social worker says they have no plans on removing the baby but they lie that much that I still dont trust them. They have ruined my pregnancy and Im terrified of giving birth. Its not even through my fault, its because my Mams partner is a sex offender. I said all along I dont want him having contact with the baby and know hes a risk, yet because my Mam is still with him I have ended up here dunno what to do, so frightened. The sw spoke quite positive of me and my partner. Just dont know what to do, tried begging my Mam to break up with him but she wont budge,.instead Im now going thru hell fearing meeting my baby incase they come and take it away. Anyone got any advice? It really doesnt sound good. The LA said at the minute there is no legal action they coukd take but I have Bipolar so I dont know if this would cause them to not tell me the truth. Pleased they cant read my mind or I'd be in anger managment in regards to this man!!!

[mimzy1991]

The Chair did say it was normal practise for an adviser to be there as there was talks about SOPOs etc plus the man is still on license but i read elsewhere that they only attend when theres a posdibility of legal proceedings. He was charged for other offences but the Jury didnt reach a verdict so I dunno what to think in regards to them just that he pleaded guilty to grooming so to me hes as much of a risk to children regardless of what the Jury thought- he commited an offence against a child and in my eyes thats the worst crime. My Mam has always said he wouldnt be allowed contact, has now banned him from the house and she sees him at his home, butthey are worried she doesnt realise the risk he poses. Such a mess, feel like he has got out of prison after serving a joke of a sentence and as long as he keeps his nose clean its all over for him, its me and my partner suffering because were going thru this and as long as he is in my Mams lufe I dont understand how my baby will get off A CPP. He even causedproblems by saying to his probation officer someone had shoen him a copy of the social workers report!! Sorry for blasting off on here but whenever I mention it to family they roll their eyes or just ignore me, think Im the only one who thinks its unfair! Wish he would back off and leave my family alone!!!

[mummyof2]

Please do not take offense but have you ever broken an agreement not to see this man or anything? Because earlier this year my granddad got back in touch with my family after years, some months after I had a visit from a social worker who informed me he had been convicted years ago of sexually abusing his own daughter, I was gobsmacked to say the least, she got me to sign an agreement stating I wouldn't have contact and it never even got any further than an initial assessment. So I'm a little confused as to why they have put your baby on a cpp if you are not having contact with this man?? Was this the only reason for the plan or is there other concerns they have? If they have clearly stated they are not going to remove your baby then I don't think they will as my sisters baby was removed at birth a few years ago and she told me when she was around 7months that she knew he was going to be taken. The only advice I can give is to Just keep co-operating with them I am and I've built quite a good relationship with the social worker although I can understand you are scared as I am too x

[mimzy1991]

Heyy, nope never got told to cut contact, the previous SW said she thought a WA stating no contact and stopping him coming to the house, but I moved and before anything was in place she handed the case over. Apparantly she said she had told me to cut contact but she never, and I only really seen him when he was with my Mam. I never had intentional contact with him, but when the new SW came out she advised cutting contact with him and I have, he doesnt come over either. The only reason I can think that it went to CP was because she had apparantly said that, then when the new SW came out I said I seen him a couple of times a week if he was over and I was in, but like I said she never tood me too and I never signed anything. They are doing a written agreement as part of the plan, but I dunno when I sign this do they bring it out to you?

[mimzy1991]

Also I live at my Mams, me and bf are saving for our home, but my mam is still in a relationship with him. She told the SW she respects my wishes and also doesnt want the baby to have contact with him and will probs be signing the agreement too.

[Murray72]

The very first Child protection meeting I ever attended was prior to my ex husband been charged, but he had been arrested at this point and the LA sent a legal rep, children were put on child protection register and within 3 weeks of been charged they commenced with care proceedings. He wasn't charged for a further 14 months due to a back log at police forensics(they were analysing the PC) . Then we had a finding of fact case at the county courts, and finally criminal trial went ahead. A good 2 and half years in the courts!!

Have you sought advice from a solicitor in Family law??

[mimzy1991]

Yeah and when i asked what she thought she said they would have a hell of a fight removing it. Hes already done his sentence and been convicted etc but does it sound like their going to seek a court order?! The adviser said at the minute there was nothing legally they could do but Im still not trusting them.

[mummyof2]

I'm not really sure what to say as my situation is different but basically my babys father is a serious concern to them but because they are reassure I'm not having contact and don't want him to be a part of my childs life then he cannot really be classed as a risk so I think this is why they are considering closing my case soon. From what you've told me the social worker may be concerned because 1. Your mum won't end her relationship with a man who has this kind of conviction and the social worker may think she does not realise what risk this man poses to your baby. 2. This man used to be a visitor at the house you now live at and the social worker may be worried he will visit the house when your baby is there. 3. Your old social worker told your new one that she told you to stop contact but you continued to have contact, even if the old sw never said this it may have seemed like you were being unco-operative and going against the ss's advice, they may also be concerned that if your mum is in a relationship with this man then you may end up having contact with him in the future. My first childs father was charged with gbh against me which he did in front of my daughter ss got involved but as soon as they accepted I had ended the relationship and I was no longer in contact then they were no longer involved, I've since realised if they see someone as a danger but you completely removed them from your life then there can no longer be cause for concern. The only advice I can really give you is as hard as it may be I would try and get your own house asap that way there won't be any risk of you bumping into him at your mums, also I know this sounds really harsh but I would also cut contact with your mum as she is still involved with him in a big way and you would have thought she would have ended her relationship for the sake of her grandchild, I also have a mum who sounds a lot like yours, she has always put men before her children and grandchildren and quite frankly I can't be arsed wasting my time with her anymore. how many weeks are you now?

[mimzy1991]

They said yesterday they were pleased with how I was working with them and seemed keen to work with them, and she doesnt let him into the house. Im trying to get a place but I have 4 weeks left and the council wont give me priority on the housing list. They said they aremt planning a removal but I dont believe them, they have every reason too even though we have all said he wont be having contact. Do nothing but cry yet my Mam doesnt seem to give, my baby means everything to me but I just cant see a positive way out

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi Mimzy 1991

You seem to have been given some very good advice already from Murray and Mummyof 2, so I suggest you listen to the key messages they give from their own experiences.

Please try not to worry more than necessary at this time. The main thing is to cooperate with the child protection plan.

Ideally you should have been advised that a Local Authority legal adviser would be present at the Child Protection Conference (in advance). This means you could have the opportunity to have your own solicitor present, (unfortunately they are unlikely to attend because they do not get paid to do so).

On a positive note however, since Children's Services have sought legal advice, (by the fact they were present throughout the meeting), you would have a very good indication by now if they were going to court.

This suggests to me therefore, that your case does not meet the threshold for significant harm, and the Local Authority would not be successful if they took your case to court.

It is unfortunate that you were not asked to sign a written agreement with the first social worker. As this would have been proof, and evidence (from the start) that you were willing to work with them, and exactly what the concerns and expectations that were held by the Local Authority.

Try to work closely with your solicitor, and listen to their advice, as they will be open with you about what is being planned. From what you say, they are suggesting the same thing as the social worker, that care proceedings are unlikely at this time.

I suggest you chase up the social work team for a copy of the written agreement as soon as possible. Once you receive it, advise the social worker that you wish to run it by your solicitor to check it over, before you sign it. This demonstrates your willingness to be pro-active, as well as take care about what you are signing, but only after seeking legal advice (which you are entitled to do).

In the meantime, please ensure you attend all core group meetings and any other visits, and work with all professionals so they can be confident you are continuing to take the concerns held about your baby seriously.

I would also discuss in the core goup whether the social worker (and other members) would be willing to write supporting letters to you in respect of a housing transfer, and request for any decisions about your housing to be minuted.

This is something the chair of the child protection conference, and the outline child protection plan should be clearly addressing, so look out for this document, and any references to housing support, when this is sent to you.

Because the professionals all have the power to offer supporting letters to you about a housing management transfer, which is urgently required to minimise the high level of risk from a convicted sex offender at this time.

Please refer to your previous threads for my earlier advice about your situation.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Best Wishes


Suzie