Help please

[ShepherdT]

Hello, after a bit of advice/reassurance

Thursday 3/12/20

Partners son went into school following day with a mark on his arm, school phoned the social services and had police involved, I was told to stay away whilst they do investigations

- night prior, partner was settling two youngest kids upstairs, and the eldest “s” come running downstairs to get a hat they made in school ( “s” is known for winding his sisters up when it’s bedtime/they are asleep) so I said no to him and put it ontop of the unit for his mum to get in the morning
- s stormed off
I was making a cup of tea for me and the mrs when she come down,
- s come running back in the kitchen and pushed me into the unit
So i walked after him to explain not to push people, mid process my knee gives way and I end up going ass over t- towards “s” (had three major knee operations) so push “s” out of the way saves landing on him (I’m an 18st lad) and he’s 11

He was laughing like hell at me on the floor in a state, asked him if he was ok, to which he said yes, walked him upstairs and met mum on the landing, told
Her what happened and she said it was nothing to worry about he’s ok,
So next day he has a mark (unbeknown) to mum or me

Ss and police involved and I’m told to stay away

Two weeks later I have police interview and interview comes back as case closed no further action

I’ve never nor ever would harm a child intentionally however social worker thinks somthing isn’t right and that this may be abuse
I’ve gone out of my way to get a dbs check to prove I have no previous
Mrs has done a Claire’s law check which also shows clear record

Had three character references sent to the ss about myself

Last week mrs found out it’s a s47 investigation (but the ss didn’t make her aware of this)

We’re all confused as this has been a whole big accident and worried that we won’t be able to be a family again,

I’m allowed to speak/ see the mrs
And I’m allowed to speak/talk to the kids on FaceTime

Just after advice really

Thanks for anything

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear ShepherdT,

Welcome to the parent's board and thank you for your post and apologies for the delay in reply.

You say in your post that your partner's son was seen with a mark on his arm at school, which led to a referral to children's services. You say this mark was caused as the result of an accident on your behalf. The police were informed and are now taking no further action against you. You and your partner have now been informed that there is a S. 47 investigation taking place and that the social worker believes you may have intentionally hurt your partner's son. You are not living in the home but allowed to have contact with your partner and to facetime the children. You are worried about what may happen next.

Firstly, children's services have initiated S. 47 enquiries, sometimes called child protection enquiries, because they have reasonable cause to suspect that your partner's son is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. The social worker will now speak to you, your partner, your partner's son and any other relevant agencies in order to gather information and make an assessment. If the enquiries concludes that your partner's son has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm, then a child protection conference will be convened. The conference attendees, which will include your partner, will decide whether the child should be on a child protection plan and what steps should be taken to keep him safe. For more information on child protection procedures, take a look here.

It is now important that you work openly and honestly with the social worker to understand concerns and to put forth your views. If, as you say, this was an accident, you can explain the circumstances to the social worker. Children's services cannot say that you can no longer be a family but it would be helpful for you to work together to come up with a plan for ensuring that your partner's son is safe and to share with them any plans you have to move back in if this is the case. Children's services will want to see that you and your partner are acting in a sufficiently protective way to prioritise the safety of all children in the home.

I hope you have found this helpful.

Best wishes,

Suzie.