Child protection querys

[Mrconfused]

With out going into everything all at once because I've got a few problems and things I dont understand and know nothing about .
Me my partner went through a really hectic time the relationship turned toxic ss ended up involved for dv I went to prison hard a good hard talk to myself came out and made progress in life . This is where I'm confused ss then changed the reason for the children being in a child protection order to the youngest of 3 whos 4 copying bad behaviours of his siblings 9 and 10 and have now said mum needs to focus on her self for abit . Sorry how can a mother do that if her children our taken into care . The ss have also stated in a parenting assessment my mental health and physical health is something that needs to change . I was first diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder in 1991 so how do I change that and I have suffered with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome since 2015 these are both life long conditions which again I cant change I wish I could . Is this legitimate can these things be held against me and can they just swap chop and change the reason children are subject to a child protection order . Me and my ex partner are by no means perfect but our children are always well cared for clean fresh clothes fed clean house kept up to date with all appointment docs dentist opticians . I dont know where to turn or what to think at the minute I feel helpless as a father it's all my own fault I cant be there to step in and the kids are the ones going to suffer and its going to break my heart if my kids disappear into the care system.
I know a few people will read this and will read between the lines and make assumptions so I would like to add i've admitted my wrong doings and addressed my behaviours through various course provided by the probation service .
Thanks for reading and any advice any one could give me would be grately appreciated.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Mr Confused

Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie, I am an online adviser and will be replying to you today.

It is to your credit that you acknowledge your past mistakes and issues and have sought support from professionals to address them.

Your children are subject to a child protection plan. You are confused by the plan and say it has changed focus and you are not sure why. Initially, a plan was put in place because of concerns regarding domestic abuse. You received a prison sentence for this.

The plan has changed due to concerns about the children’s behaviours. You are worried that children’s services are going to remove your children from their mother’s care and that you cannot step in to support them. You say the reasons for the potential removal is because a parenting assessment was completed which states your partner needs to focus on herself and you need to change your mental and physical health issues. Something you say is not achievable. You are querying whether children services can ‘swap chop and change’ the reasons the children are subject to child protection plans.

Child protection plans are put in place to address risk and potential risk. They should be flexible and fluid to meet the needs of the children, therefore, they are subject to change. There should be a clear child protection plan in place that both parents and professionals are working towards. Changes and amendments to the plan should be discussed and agreed at Core Group meetings. I have added a link HERE to further information and guidance regarding the child protection process. This includes Review Child Protection Conferences.

If children’s services are concerned about the children remaining in the care of their mother and seek to remove them, then they should be open and transparent with both parents and inform them of the process. Whilst your contact with the children may be restricted, if you are named on the children’s birth certificates then you retain parental responsibility and children’s services have a duty to keep you up to date regarding their involvement (subject to any safeguarding concerns). They will also notify you if their plan is to start care proceedings.I have added a link HERE which you may find helpful. It is to our ‘top tips’ guide when working with social workers. It offers information and guidance on how to work with social workers and what you can do if you feel it is not going well.

If children’s services decide to go to court to start care proceedings, they should inform you in writing and follow something called the Public Law Outline process (unless there are immediate safeguarding issues). I have added some further information and guidance HERE about this process.

I have further added HERE information and guidance about Care and Related Proceedings. This sets out how children’s services should be working with parents, what type of solicitor you will need to appoint should matters escalate to care proceedings and what you will need to consider in this situation.

If children’s services do make an application for care proceedings to remove your children, they would need to satisfy the court that this is in the children’s best interest. They would also need to explore with you and your ex-partner the possibility of family/close friends caring for the children before placing them in unrelated foster care. I have added a link HERE which explains this in further detail.

In respect of your mental and physical health issues, it would be a good idea to discuss this with the social worker to clarify their expectations. Are they suggesting that because your conditions are chronic and unlikely to change they do not consider you able to meet the long term needs of the children or, are they suggesting that you need to engage with mental and physical health services to stabilise your health conditions.

I hope you find this information helpful. To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). For Textphone dial 18001 followed by the advice line number. Or you can ask a question via email using our advice enquiry form, or post again on here. There is also a webchat service that you may wish to access. The webchat is not a bot, you will be answered by one of our advisers. Details HERE.

Best wishes, Suzie.