can social.services put my kids on child protection

[myworld]

heres the story i rang the police on my partner and he got arrested i dropped it cos he didnt do anything wrong was just an arguement but due to my past relationships of demestic violance got me scared at the time and then social services closed the case then 15 or so days after my partner got arrested at his friends house when got raided then they came to raid my house found some tablets in a safe and an ounce of weed outside all away from the kids now he is saying they might get put on child protection if i stay with my partner but i dont see why this would be as there wasnt no risk and isnt can u plz help me with some advice if this could happen or are they just trying to scare me x

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear myworld

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board and thank you for your post. My name is Suzie, FRG’s online adviser. I am sorry that I was not able to reply to you sooner.

I can see that you are very worried as children’s services have recently become involved with your children.

They first got in touch after police attended your home due to an incident involving your partner for which he was arrested. You did absolutely the right thing in calling the police if you had any worries for your safety and the children’s safety. Although you did not later want to pursue this, this can actually increase concerns about the risk of domestic violence. You have been the victim of domestic violence in previous relationships and this can mean that you are more vulnerable. Domestic violence is harmful to children so an incident will usually lead to social worker involvement. Children’s services may have believed you and your partner had separated or else they judged the risk to be low – either way the case was closed.

Here is some information on domestic violence which explains why it is taken so seriously and some advice for mothers with social work involvement because of domestic violence.

However, there has since been a new incident where your partner has been arrested and police found tablets and cannabis in your home. Although you explain that these drugs were not accessible to the children I think this has raised a number of concerns. One may be that you and your partner may still be in a domestically violent (this could include coercive control) relationship, secondly he (and perhaps you) may be involved in criminal activities - this could also potentially put your children at risk from dangerous associates etc. and thirdly the presence of substances in your home, where your children live.

You don’t think that there was or is any risk to the children but all of the above are serious issues which the social worker needs to explore fully with you and your children in your family context. You don’t say how old the children are but their understanding/experience of their home environment and family relationships are areas that the social worker will need to focus on.

Has the social worker said that they are now doing a child protection investigation?

It sounds as if they at least have asked that your partner resides away from your home while they are doing a further assessment of the situation. It would be a good idea to agree to this at least while the assessment is taking place as it will allow the social worker to do this without you or the children being impacted by your partner. Usually when children’ services ask that an adult remain away from the home this is to allow children to remain safely at home as the risk to them may be reduced.

You don’t say if your partner is the children’s father – if he is they would need to consider supervised contact arrangements (unless there are bail conditions which prevent this). If you are not able or don’t want to agree to this you would need to ask the social worker what action they would take.

You want to know if the children could become subject to child protection plans . This decision could only be made by a child protection conference but it is possible if your partner’s behaviour or your continued relationship with him was found to put you children at continued risk of harm. This advice sheet explains the child protection process more fully.

The best thing for you to do is to continue to work with children’s services, accept any identified services that you think would help you and your children e.g. domestic violence advocacy or Freedom programme, parenting and/or therapeutic support or ask for any help that you think would be right for you.

I don’t think the social worker is trying to scare you but maybe they haven’t explained why they are involved, what they are particularly worried about (and why) well enough yet. You could ask them to be very clear with you about their role, the current process, what they want you to do and why and the possible outcomes. These tips on working with your social worker might help.

Another possible outcome, perhaps if you separate or remain together but children’s services are satisfied that any risks are safely managed could be a child in need plan or a family support plan.

If you have further questions please do post again or if you prefer to speak with an adviser please call our freephone advice helpline 0808 8010366 Mon to Fri between 9.30 am and 3.00 pm.

I hope this is helpful.

With best wishes

Suzie

[myworld]

ji there there hasnt been any domestic violence or control in our relationship just previous relationships hes not my childrens dad my children are 16 12 10 and 8 the social worker has said his concerns are people coming to house and beating my partner maybe me and children too he wasnt even dealing drugs was just his friend asked him to save them the day before and was ment to be getting them the next day he asked the children about it and asked them if they new ppl and they didnt know anything or anyone as noone comes to my house at all im a very private person i have a meeting with my family and social worker on thursday im not dire why we had one last time a family support meeting but we have desided to keep our family together he hasnt seen the kids and not been to the house sinve the social worker said he couldnt what can we do to make them see there is no risk ive told him im willing to be drug tested and everything cos i have nothing to hid he said what the children has said he has no consernes just with ppl coming to house im even thinking about moving so that risk is gone too

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear myworld

Thank you for the additional information.

It is likely that your previous experience of domestic violence and the police raiding your home are the triggers mean that social workers may consider a child protection plan for your children. The social worker will be concerned that you had illegal substances in your home and the impact this may have had on the children when your house was raided, even though they may not have known about the substances at the time.

It may be useful for you to read Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, this document will give you more information about how social workers will work with you. Please start reading from page 37. It may be a good idea to ask the social worker what measures you can take to ‘prove’ that you can safeguard your children.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes

Suzie