Child welfare report requested by parol officer

[Pip21]

I find myself in a difficult situation after a messy divorce in which I have lost contact with my children, namely because of my x partner not abiding by court orders, and then my best attempts to persuading her to let me see them leading to restraining orders and my having breached them. I am currently on probation serving a 200 hour community order after contacting my x during a spate of deep depression questioning why she is prohibiting access. Please let me make perfectly clear I have made no threat or insult towards my x only pleaded with her to change her behaviour. Although this is one issue I now find myself in a situation having been in a relationship for the year between my arrest and sentencing that my probation officer is requesting a child safeguarding visit, my partner is separated and gradually moving through the divorce process and this has come to a point now where a court application has been made regarding her younger child’s access arrangements. I had of course made it clear to her my situation regarding my children and my arrest although perhaps I had not realised the full consequences of finding myself on probation, we do not live together nor have done there are times I have minded her son or we are all in the home together or out together. This is also the case with my friends and their children that I frequently find in my care but the probation officer has not requested safeguarding reports for them. I have come to a stand off with my probation officer, I have not refused to give the details of my partner to her but said that I cannot without my partners permission, the probation officer continues to request contact and that a report is made, I have said that my partner is waiting for legal advice. I am deeply concerned how it could affect my partner in her case in the family court as her x partner is quite aggressively trying to take care of the children and to find that I have a conviction for “ domestic abuse “ and have been in the home with the child could cause my partner real problems. As I presume that the SS and Cafcas will liaise and I am certain that Cafcas will want to look into my situation and past regardless. Please can someone offer me some advice as I just cannot allow the heartbreak pain and of
My divorce land her in the same situation.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Pip21

Thank you for posting on the Family Rights Group parent’s discussion forum. My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group.

I see from your post that you are concerned about your probation officer wishing to have information from your current partner who is involved in court proceedings with her ex-husband in respect of their child.

As you have a conviction related to domestic issues, the probation officer must ensure that anyone you are in contact with who has a child is made aware as a safeguarding concern. I cannot say how her relationship with you, since you do not live together will affect her ongoing case, but it will certainly be a factor to consider when looking at all the circumstances. If your partner does not wish to cooperate with the probation officer, they may will make a safeguarding referral to children’s services because of her association with you.

It is right that she should seek legal advice from her solicitor so her position can be fully explained. This is about safeguarding a child or children and since you cannot see your own children, there is likely to be concerns about you being around her child or children.

Your partner and you will need to discuss this as there will be concerns about her ability to keep her child or children safe if she is in a relationship with someone who has a conviction for domestic abuse.

Unfortunately, as there is no children’s services involvement, this does not fall within the remit of our service. I suggest that you have an open discussion with your probation officer about the process relating to safeguarding because of your conviction.

If your partner does not have a solicitor representing her she can telephone this service Child Law Advice on 0300 330 5480. The offer advice on private law cases.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie