Is this true of the only outcomes? Adoption or return to parents?

[ijustwanthelpplease]

We've been told that because our children are under two, they will go straight to adoption if they cannot be returned to us.

This is awful. Especially as our eldest is spotless and they have deemed him as such. We have been accused (we believe wrongly), of NAI against our newborn (9 weeks at the time, prem so corrected age 5 weeks)).

They are taking medical route Vs adoption. We've been forced to sign adoption papers (medical history).

Nothing has been explained so my assumption is, if no direct medical explanation exists, the boys are adopted. Even the one who is spotless (no NAI, acts normal, meeting milestones and exceeding some, well mannered, no weird behaviour suggesting an abusive household). End of. He's potentially punished and deprived of his parents just because he's under two, it seems.

Is this true? Are these the only two outcomes? I was always lead to believe social services work with families with the primary goal to keep with birth parents were possible. But I feel they've already made their mind up. They want them away from us. They also have utter disregard for parental concern and our feelings on this.

We are low-risk parents (no negative records on us atall, anywhere (no mental health problems, we don't drink, smoke, do drugs and never have, we have no criminal record, no prior involvement with SS)); my pregnancy with the twins was complicated/high risk.

I don't want to lose my children. I don't see a reason for them to be fully lost from us to adoption just because a medical reason cannot be found (if that is deemed the case). Could it be the case that they return to our care with (heavy) involvement from SS to ensure they're safe and cared for, or do they not even consider such a thing?

I just feel so alone and distraught by professionals. They don't care about us or how traumatic this is for us. We have no guidance through this or suggestions of improvement or whatever during contact. Getting information about the boys' care (while making it clear I am not accusing foster carers of anything bad) is like getting blood from a stone.

Thank you if you read this.

[Curlyone]

Hi,

I've got no Real experience of this, but I didn't want to read and run.
I'm sorry what your experiencing, from what I've read on here and netmums, there is always a possibility of reunification with parents if the accident is an accident.
Low risk is a major positive, do not give up hope!

[greenfairy]

This sounds horrible to me. I am so sorry about what you are going through.

I am sure someone wiser with experience will be along soon to give you information on how to act in these circumstances.

[LLPT25]

Do you have legal advisor ? get your councilor involved. Do Subject access request and request all information held about your children medically and from all other organizations involved .

[KatKat10]

Have you got a solicitor and under what conditions did you sign those papers?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

We've been told that because our children are under two, they will go straight to adoption if they cannot be returned to us.

This is awful. Especially as our eldest is spotless and they have deemed him as such. We have been accused (we believe wrongly), of NAI against our newborn (9 weeks at the time, prem so corrected age 5 weeks)).

They are taking medical route Vs adoption. We've been forced to sign adoption papers (medical history).

Nothing has been explained so my assumption is, if no direct medical explanation exists, the boys are adopted. Even the one who is spotless (no NAI, acts normal, meeting milestones and exceeding some, well mannered, no weird behaviour suggesting an abusive household). End of. He's potentially punished and deprived of his parents just because he's under two, it seems.

Is this true? Are these the only two outcomes? I was always lead to believe social services work with families with the primary goal to keep with birth parents were possible. But I feel they've already made their mind up. They want them away from us. They also have utter disregard for parental concern and our feelings on this.

We are low-risk parents (no negative records on us atall, anywhere (no mental health problems, we don't drink, smoke, do drugs and never have, we have no criminal record, no prior involvement with SS)); my pregnancy with the twins was complicated/high risk.

I don't want to lose my children. I don't see a reason for them to be fully lost from us to adoption just because a medical reason cannot be found (if that is deemed the case). Could it be the case that they return to our care with (heavy) involvement from SS to ensure they're safe and cared for, or do they not even consider such a thing?

I just feel so alone and distraught by professionals. They don't care about us or how traumatic this is for us. We have no guidance through this or suggestions of improvement or whatever during contact. Getting information about the boys' care (while making it clear I am not accusing foster carers of anything bad) is like getting blood from a stone.

Thank you if you read this.

Dear ijustwanthelpplease,

Thankyou for your further post. I hope the following is helpful advice for you.

Firstly I would like to reassure you that it is not the case that adoption is the only alternative outcome if the children can’t return to your care. If your children are unable to return to your care then the local authority should first consider whether there are any family members or friends who are able to care for the children. This is why it is very important that you speak with members of your family and friends to ask if anyone is willing to put themselves forward as potential long term carers for your children. If anyone is willing to do so then you should pass on their contact details as soon as possible to the social worker and the team manager. Children’s services can then begin assessments on these potential carers. The sooner this process begins the better as it gives the best opportunity for the children to remain in the family or friends network. These assessments should take place during the care proceedings process and at the same time as parenting assessments (and any other assessments) on yourself. This is known as parallel planning, meaning that the local authority should be considering more than one possible outcome.

However if the children are not able to return to your care and there is no-one within your family and friends support network who can care for the children then adoption is a possibility. The younger a child is the more likely they are to be placed for adoption if care by the parents or support network is not possible. There is no age ‘cut-off’, so it is not specifically because your children are aged under 2 that the local authority are considering this, but it is the case that their young age makes adoption more likely as an outcome.

It is indeed the case that children have been able to return to their parents’ care after they have been removed and the likelihood of this will depend on the findings that the court makes as well as the assessments that are carried out on you and your partner. If your children return to your care then children’s services are very likely to stay involved either under a Supervision Order or a child protection plan.

I am not clear what papers you signed when you say that you were forced to sign ‘adoption papers’. If you have signed a document and you are unsure what the document was for then I would suggest that you speak urgently with your solicitor about this, or directly with the social worker. Adoption is a court process and can only be finalised once the court makes a placement order followed by a final adoption order. You would not be asked to sign any documents regarding this and so I don’t think that the document you signed would have been related to adoption.

As I suggested in my previous post it might be useful for you to speak with your solicitor about requesting a second opinion about the non-accidental injuries that were found on your son’s x-ray. You might also find it helpful to look at the Parents Accused website for specific advice and guidance.

You should be kept updated and informed about your children whilst they are in the care of the foster carer. There should be regular looked after child reviews which you should be invited to and your views should be sought about the care of the children. If you feel that you are not being kept updated satisfactorily then you could consider raising this with the social worker’s team manager, or with the independent reviewing officer.

I hope that this is helpful. Please post again if you have further queries or you can call our adviceline (Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3pm) on 0808 801 0366.

Best wishes,
Suzie