Law on disclosure by children’s services

[BSA21]

Hi,

I was just wondering where the law stands on children’s services disclosing information on convictions. CS disclosed ‘information‘ to me about My partner’s conviction. I was already fully aware of the conviction, and the information CS gave me didn’t seem right and has since been shown to be incorrect (having now had the info directly from the police). Shouldn’t disclosures always come from the police? CS have been so incredibly unprofessional throughout this whole process and it is frightening that people like this are legally permitted to make disclosures. It also makes me worry about who else they could contact others with these exaggerated details.

Thanks

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear BSA21

Welcome to the parent’s discussion forum and thank you for posting.

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group.

I see from your post tht you have concerns about the disclosure made to you about your partner’s convictions. You do not say that nature of the conviction or why children’s services made the disclosure to you. If it is the case the children’s services are carrying out chid protection enquiries that they may have received information from the police and, shared this with you if a your child is considered to be at risk of harm.

There are certain convictions even, if spent, that can be disclosure if there a possibility of risk to a child. Unfortunately, sometimes information in police records or that initially may be incorrect and it is for the person concerned to ensure with the police that the record about them is correct.

The police would not normally disclose information about a person’s conviction except to the individual in question, under a court order or to children’s services in child protection investigations. A social worker may inform a parent of a person’s background if enquiries from the police give cause for concern about a child being at risk of harm. A person may not, (as you were), be aware of the conviction/background.

Members of the public are able to make requests to the police under Claire’s Law and Sarah’s Law if they have concerns about a person’s background.

If your partner has concerns about the disclosures as a breach of data protection then a complaint could be made to children’s services. You or your partner may find it helpful to contact Unlock who can advise more about convictions and disclosure.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie

[BSA21]

Parents are in a weak position knowing that if they stand up to them or complain they could lose their child. I have not complained because I don’t know what the consequences could be for my family. Families are bullied and there is nothing they can do about it


Part deleted by Suzie as replies to a deleted post