Sexual offender

[Rosierose]

Okay so my partner was arrested and is currently on remand in prison. He was arrested for sexual assault on a women and common assault on a minor (13) with the intent to sexually assault. Public protection he is not allowed contact with anyone under the age of 18. We have two children aged 3 and 2 and a baby due in 2 months. It’s been 3 months already and this is killing us all ! We have filled the form in to see if we can get authorisation but have been told this could take 6 months. He has done a plea and hopes the intent to sexually assault a minor is dropped. If this is then what are the chances of him getting contact with his kids again? The charges would then be sexual assault on a women and common assault on a minor (13).

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Rosierose

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board and thank you for your post. I am sorry that you have not received a response to your query sooner. I am sorry to hear about the current difficulties you are experiencing.

You are a mother of two young children with a new baby due soon. Your partner is in prison on remand and currently prohibited from contact with children and young people under 18 due to the current charges he faces. I can see that this is a very stressful time for you, especially as you are heavily pregnant. This is a difficult situation for you to deal with and probably come as a shock when your partner was arrested. You want to know if he will he be able to have contact with his children again especially if the charge in relation to the alleged sexual element of the offence against a child is dropped.

In relation to your query, I am not sure which form you refer to in terms of authorisation – if this is to do with your children seeing their father whilst he is still on remand in prison I am sorry that I cannot advise on this. You can get advice, information and support from Prisoners’ Families’ helpline – their number is 0808 808 2003 and their lines are open every day.

I can only advise you about the role of children’s services and will try to give you some information about their role. Your post does not mention if they have been involved with your family at this stage. I think they may have been in touch as the police would refer to them because of the nature of the alleged offences and as your partner is a father. They may have discussed temporary safety arrangements with you but at present their role may be minimal as your partner is in custody. Have you discussed the authorisation request you are making with them? You should know what their view on this is. They are likely to become more actively involved once the criminal justice process has ended or if they have current concerns.

Children’s services’ role is to assess whether there is any risk of harm from your partner to your own children and also whether you are able to consider the possibility of risk and safeguard your children. They will want to be satisfied that the children’s welfare and safety always come first. It would be a good idea to have a look at the Parents Protect and the Stop it Now websites or you can ring their confidential helpline on 0808 1000 900 too. Their website also provides information about the criminal justice system.

It is important that you do not play down the serious allegations against your partner and the impact on the victim(s) – including a child - and that you work with children’s services to show that you can understand concerns, show the protective factors that are in place and work with them to minimise any potential risk. Of course, the onus is on your partner to do so too and to be willing to cooperate with any risk assessment. Any assessment will gather a range of information and analyse this – then decide on what needs to happen to make sure that your children are and will continue to be safely cared for. As part of this your partner’s contact with the children and any return home will need to be considered.

Here is more information about assessments under child in need assessments and child protection processes.

You might want to post an update or ring our freephone helpline number 0808 8010366, Mon to Fri, 9.30 to 3.00 pm to speak to an adviser if you have specific questions about children’s services’ involvement.

Your partner can also access private law advice from Child Law Advice .

I am sorry that I cannot predict what the outcome will be; every family’s situation is unique and will depend on their individual factors.

I hope this has helped a little.

With best wishes

Suzie