Section 47 Concerns

[qprhumbug]

HI.. firstly i need to say i am the maternal grandfather of the child i wish to talk about.

A section 47 has been started for my granddaughter 'C', following an incident where she fell over and banged her head on a coffee table. This incident wasn't particularly handled well by my daughter 'A' who lives with her partner 'P' and the incident occurred in their home, not handled well, as 'A' did not report the incident to 'C's father until the next day. The paternal grandmother 'M', upon receiving 'C' for the weekend visit with her father 'D', decided to take her to the hospital to get the bruise checked out, and in doing so, had her admitted to a ward for further tests following a discussion with the Paediatric Registrar.

During this discussion, 'M' then went on to catalogue a vast number of allegations against 'A', which can only be based on the time when 'A' and 'D' lived together. I am not going to pretend that their marriage was not tumultuous, and had many aspects to it which would not be viewed well, however i have the report which triggered the section 47. In it there is a bending of the truth to such a degree, but more worryingly untruths which 'M' absolutely knows to be untrue, but in the prosecution of the report decided to state things which were simply untrue (and as mentioned - 'M' knows them to be').

My daughter 'A' has subsequently (of course), been subject to interviews by the SW. I was not present, and i can only assume that she answered and co-operated with their investigation to the letter, as 'P' her partner is a values employee of mine, in whom i have confidence.

'A' repeatedly asked the SW to contact me during the investigation stage. The SW, categorically, documented, that they had been mad aware that "my word was not to be trusted - and i will cover up things". This was stated by the SW to 'A', and documented.

i challenged 'D', who i have to say, i have until this point had a strong relationship with on this, and he, in written dialog, debunked any notion that he would say that, and that he would personally address the report from 'M' his mother to ensure there was accuracy and context.

Going back to 'C', who is nearly 4, she has never been subject to any enquiry where there is concern over violence or neglect by 'A' or 'D'.

After 'A' and 'D''s breakup 'A' and 'C' lived with me, my wife and my other daughter (who has special needs) for over 2 years. We provided safety, comfort and and stable environment. My relationship, and that of my wife and other daughter with 'C' was huge, and a major influence on the development of 'C'. Only in the past 2 months has 'C' move to live with 'P' and 'A'.

As mentioned 'A' received almost daily assurances from the SW that they would contact me, in terms of the report, history and to add comment. Each and every time that failed to happen with "other priorities" and "more important" things being cited as the reason. The investigation has now concluded and a full section 47 conference convened. In the mean time we have had no contact with 'C', we have been offered one single "supervised" visit with her in an unnatural environment. My daughter also during this process has been allowed 2 facetime calls and 1 physical supervised visit with a daughter that she has been the primary carer of for the past 4 years.

The allegations in the report "cannot have been investigated", as physical and tangible evidence exists to show that the most serious of the allegations are false - evidence that 'M', 'D' and 'D''s siblings are aware of.

I feel that i personally have been totally excluded from this process. I also feel that the suggestion by one of the parties that "i am untrustworthy" has prejudiced the SW's willingness to engage with me. I understand that i have no part to play in the conference, i also understand to a degree that the investigation was necessary, but surely when allegations are made there is a duty of care to investigate ALL avenues to ensure that the child is not subject to undue stress.

I feel helpless, almost bereaved, as my contact with 'C' has been ripped away to her detriment, and i am sat reading reports about 'A' which for the most part are untrue.

The conference is scheduled for next week. I am hoping and praying that the outcome restores the status quo. I am however terrified that the relationship between all parties which is paramount in 'C''s life will be irrevocably destroyed.

What should i be prepared for? and if the outcome is not as i would expect, what can i do?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear qprhumbug

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group. Thank you for your post. I will respond to you here although you have posted on the parents’ discussion forum.

I see from your post that you are concerned about your granddaughter and the current involvement with children’s services. You say in your post that you have had significant involvement with your grandchild but at present children’s services is not allowing contact which you believe to be detrimental to her.

Your daughter and her ex-husband had a difficult marriage and it seems there may have been domestic abuse involved. In any event, the concerns at the moment relates to an injury that your daughter sustained whilst in her mother’s care. The paternal grandmother took her to the hospital, it is unfortunate that you daughter failed to take her or get any medical advice regarding the injury.

As a result of the visit to the hospital your granddaughter was kept in. Since the grandmother does not have parental responsibility for her. I assume that her father agreed to her having medical treatment at the hospital.

Children’s services decided to carry out s.47 child protection enquiries and the outcome of this that there should be an initial child protection conference. You are concerned that the information shared by the paternal grandmother with children’s services is not truthful but the social worker has not taken the time to speak with you about the situation. Were you aware of the injury to your granddaughter and, if so, what steps did you take to ensure that she had medical attention? This may be a concern for children’s services. Having said that, I think you could make contact with the social worker’s team manager to explain why you believe your views are important and should be taken into account. The social worker should have looked at the family network as a whole rather than one side only. It appears the paternal grandmother supports the father and you your daughter.

Please read our advice sheet An introductory guide to Children’s Services
Usually, social workers share information with the persons who have parental responsibility for the child in question. In this instance, your daughter and her ex-husband.

Regarding the forthcoming child protection conference, it may be possible for you to attend if your daughter wish to have you as her support in the meeting. She is entitled to have support provided she informs the social worker who that is going to be.
You may find it helpful to read our advice sheet relating to Child protection procedures .

It may be that a family group conference will assist the family to work out together a support plan for your daughter to ensure that the support network is in place to help both parents. Please see our advice sheet Family Group Conferences

I think it is important for you to understand that children’s services main concern is safeguarding your granddaughter from any risk. You state that your daughter’s partner is trustworthy but whether or not this is the case, your granddaughter had an injury and neither the mother nor her partner addressed this appropriately.This is a safeguarding concern for children's services.

As far as the conference is concerned, the possible outcome is that your granddaughter may be placed on the child protection plan or a child in need plan. If the former, then it is very important that your daughter engage fully with children’s services and any other professionals. A child in need plan would offer support which is identified as necessary for the family. You can provide support to your daughter and granddaughter whatever the decision made by the conference.

Should you wish to speak to an adviser do telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes

Suzie

[qprhumbug]

Dear Suzie.

First and foremost, thank you for replying, and so quickly. A couple of point on your reply, and one of clarity..

Yes they had a difficult marriage, and they both were responsible for abuse that occurred. The results of this were of course devastating for me as my daughters father, and i would suggest for the mother of my son-in-law.

The incident was not dealt with by the hospital immediately, as the bruise was not present until the next day. My suggestion that it was not dealt with appropriately, was in forming the father that she had had a nasty bump immediately, and would monitor it, and let him know. It was the next day that she let him know.

The visit to the hospital was not "in the first instance" done with the fathers consent. She was simply taken in. The paternal grandmother works in the hospital, has close social and working ties with the people involved, and in the words of my son-in-law "pulled strings to get her to the ward". It was NOT an overnight stay.

I was NOT aware of the injury to my granddaughter until this all triggered. If i had been, as a father of another child with special needs, who has spent months in and out of hospital, i would have acted accordingly. The thought that this may have been the reason in SS not trusting my word is not a factor.

In the lead up to s/47, you have used the word "enquiries", whereby the S/w and others have used the word "investigation". Which is the official word? And is it not encumberment on SS or the SW to ensure those "enquiries" are thorough? Why would it be my duty to seek that they do a thorough job? these matters are important, where motives, actions and all other considerations should be sought.

"The social worker should have looked at the family network as a whole rather than one side only" - does this mean they had an obligation to do so?.

"It appears the paternal grandmother supports the father and you your daughter." - no.. I know that you must hear this MANY times. but the only person i support in this situation is my Granddaughter.

Thank you for your advice on attending. However i do not wish to specifically attend. I want the right outcome, based on all the evidence. Obviously my ideas of what the "right outcome" is, is entirely subjective, but to achieve an truly objective analysis in the investigation, evidenced historical events, mitigations (not for the injury), family history and involvement, and all key information should be actively sought.

I also want to ensure that you know "I fully understand what childrens services main concern is". I mentioned that "I understand why we are where we are" in my account, I mention that my other daughter would be classed as vulnerable, and we engage with healthcare professionals across the entire spectrum on a weekly basis for that. I Do understand.

Again thank you for your time and response. if you could let me know the answer to the one specific question, just for clarity, i would be really grateful:

"The social worker should have looked at the family network as a whole rather than one side only"
does this mean they had an absolute obligation to do so?

Please do not think i am looking for ways to circumvent facts with challenges to the process. i am not. i just want to ensure that all the facts are recorded.

thank you

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear gprhumbug,

Thank you for your reply, as mentioned previously this discussion board is aimed at parents. We do have a separate discussion board for family and friends and you can find a link to that board here. If you need to post anymore questions can I please ask that you post them in that board and you may find other posts similar to your situation.
I understand that your main question outstanding remains whether a social worker has an obligation to include the views of wider family members in their child protection enquiries. Government guidance is clear that any assessment of a child should include their wider family in order to help professionals fully assess any safeguarding risks to a child and equally the support that other family members are able to offer.
I hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Suzie