Social services involvment- lextox testing

[Abc123vjkl]

Hi. I am new to this group. I am looking for some advice, social services have been involved with myself due to dv originally with an ex partner. So wereplaced on the at risk register. I met a new partner for a short term relationship, i did not disclose this with social services and he relationship ended. The person then decided to call social services and make up some horrible lies about me. Since then social services have made me do a lextox test which i done the first one and the second one today, my only concern with it is it comes up chronic excessive alcohol use - which sounds awful, but is based on government guidelines which is 7 units per week. I have told them i do not drink weekly. But over xmas i obviously had some alcohol, i am just. Wondering has anyone been through this? As i am thinking my next results will come back as chronic excessive alcohol use too. Can they take me any further than child protection because of this? My children are always cared for apropriatly when i do have a drink, i just feel like im fighting a loosing battle as they are no saying my children are neglected. They are the most well cared for children i know. Is there anything i can do if i disagree with the neglect on the child protection register? I am constantly scared they will take me to legal team, they say i have had inappropriate relationships due to the fact of the last partner i met for a short period had a court case for sexual assault which he was found not guilty. Prior to this i was in a long term relationship but that was domestic violence. I just feel so fed up of their involvment. Any help would be so greatful. Thanks v

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Abc123vjkl,

Welcome to the parents' board and thank you for your post.

You say in your post that your children are currently on a child protection plan due to domestic violence in your previous relationship. Since then, you have been in another short-term relationship, which you did not disclose to children's services. You have been tested for alcohol consumption which indicated chronic excessive alcohol use and you are due to be tested again. You are worried that the second result may also show chronic excessive alcohol use and are concerned that children's services may take further action. Children's services are now concerned that your children are experiencing neglect and are also concerned about the nature of your previous relationships.

Have you spoken to the social worker about the alcohol test result which indicates chronic consumption? It may be helpful to speak to the social worker about your consumption patterns, however it is also important that you do not minimise any concerns. Children's services are likely to be concerned if they believe you are drinking large amounts of alcohol on a frequent basis to the extent that it impacts upon your care of your children. Are you engaging in any alcohol support services or has this been offered as part of the child protection plan? You say that you do not drink in front of your children and therefore it may be useful to develop a safety plan with the social worker to ensure that if you do decide to have a drink, your children will be safe.

If you do not agree with the category of concern under which your children have been placed on the child protection plan, you can speak to the child protection chair about this. Alternatively, you can send a complaint to the chair's manager or contact the children's services complaints manager. Your complaint will be investigated but this does not mean that the decision to place your children on a child protection plan or the category of neglect will be changed. For more information, take a look at pages 11-12 on our complaints and challenging decisions advice sheet.

If children's services do not think that progress is being achieve on the child protection plan, they may initiate pre-proceedings. or immediately initiate care proceedings. If this does happen, you have a right to be represented by a solicitor. For more information on care proceedings, take a look at our advice sheet here. It is important that you work effectively with children's services to avoid this happening by understanding current concerns and what the expectations of the current child protection plan are.

I hope you have found this helpful.

Best wishes,

Suzie

[Abc123vjkl]

Thank you for your reply, since this i have had my further lextox and was very positive so everything is great although i do not agree with the child protection decision, i will look into that thank you.