Initial Assessment by social services

[Cannylass72]

Hi,

I have recently been contacted by social services as an anonymous person has reported us as we have been leaving my 10 year old son who is very mature on his own before and after school. We investigated lots of information before we decided to leave him and there is no legal age however you need to assess your own child on maturity etc which we did. I have explained all of this too them but they still need to do an initial assessment which is going to happen either tomorrow or next wednesday. I am very worried even though I have done nothing wrong and at no point has my son been put in danger, he has contact tel no's and also neighbours to call on. I am a midwife and my partner is transgendered and has been for nearly three years and is also a student radiographer so its not as thou we do not know what social services can do any advice welcome....

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hello Cannylass

Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie and I am an adviser at Family Rights Group.

My advice at this stage would be to continue to engage and co-operate with Children’s Services as much as you can.

Be clear with the social worker that your son is your priority and that you have made considered decisions in what you believe to be his best interests.

It may be useful to make some brief notes about your decision and all of the safeguards that you have put in place. You can then share these with the social worker during the assessment process.

I would also advise that you reassure the social worker you are open to discussing any concerns s/he may have and following professional advice where appropriate.

It may be useful for you to read our advice sheet about child protection procedures in preparation for the assessment. You are probably aware that there is a new version of the Government guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children”, which you can view here

Hopefully the initial assessment will conclude with no concerns and that will be the end of the matter. Please do come back to us as the situation develops, however, if there is any further advice that we may be able to offer.

Best Wishes

Suzie
FRG Adviser

[Cannylass72]

Many thanks for the reply. As of posting this post I have had no contact as to whether she is calling today or next week. I told my son yesterday and we were both upset. I am worried about the whole situation as I'm worried how this can affect both might mine and my partners professions.

[Cannylass72]

After waiting all day with no contact they ring to advise next week is okay for meeting now another week of worrying ahead

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi Cannylass72

Sorry to hear that you have another worrying week ahead, but please refer to my previous advice, and feel free to contact the advice line if you have a specific question that you want answered in the meantime.

Best Wishes

Suzie

[Cannylass72]

Well today is here and it's been a hard week I'm currently off sick with pain all over and very tearful now I'm on anti depressants which appears to be a result of all this going on. Do these people actually think about the impact it has on families or are they just doing their job as they always say.......

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hello Cannylass

I hope the meeting today goes as smoothly as possible.

Remain as calm and positive as you can. It may be a good idea to write some notes in preparation if you haven't already- just a few bullet points of the main issues you wish to raise and any questions you have.

If the social worker asks anything that you are unsure or unhappy about, don't be afraid to ask for clarification. Also, if you feel yourself becoming angry or emotional, explain to the social worker that this is, understandably, a stressful process for you and that you would like to take a few moments break.

Let us know how things go.

Take care

Suzie
FRG Adviser

[jojo]

Assessment by social services, my advice is to have a pen and paper with you, write down what is said at the meeting, as you might find when the report comes back its not excatly true what they say you said. So chose each word carefull what you say to them, we are going through that 24 hours a day nightmare now dealing with them .