1 Child under Care order and now Expecting

[PurpleRose]

I have 1 child under a care order and the next stage is to re apply to court for unsupervised contact. I have now found out after 2yrs of trying im expecting what can I expect to happen. I have been in therapy and coming to last session but now starting a different therapy too. I have also been arrested 2yrs ago and been RUI for a year only had 1 interview. When do I tell LA. I'm a married Lesbian

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear PurpleRose,

Welcome to the parents’ forum and thank you for your post. Many congratulations on your pregnancy. I hope that the following information is of some help to you.

Because children’s services are currently involved with your older child they will need to carry out a pre-birth assessment during your pregnancy. You can find more information about this process on our website HERE and we have specific advice for parents who have had previous children removed from their care HERE. It is very important that you stay in regular touch with health services and keep appointments throughout your pregnancy, as well as working as best as you can with children’s services. The assessment will look at your current situation and your wife should be included fully within the assessment. It is positive to hear that you have been having therapy and that you are continuing this going forward. I would advise you to access any support necessary so that you are best placed to demonstrate to children’s services that you and your wife can safely care for the baby.

I would advise you to inform children’s services as soon as possible about your pregnancy. The sooner you tell them the better because that gives you the best opportunity to demonstrate your willingness to work with them and access any support or make any changes necessary to care safely for your baby.

We have a top tips guide to working with a social worker which you can find HERE.

I hope that this is of some help. Please do post again if you have any further queries or you can call our confidential adviceline on 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3pm) to speak with an adviser.

Best wishes,
Suzie