Primary School

[greenfairy]

Hi,
my husband was arrested in July 2022 for indecent images.

He's been released under investigation in August 2022.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Social Services closed our case in August 2022 with a safety plan. My husband is allowed to stay in the house, if I supervise him around the children.

Social Services haven't done an S47 enquiry and the children have never been on a child in need plan or a child protection plan.

My son is starting primary school in September.

On the registration forms for the school, there is a question if you have ever been in contact with a social worker.

If yes, you need to give further details.

My question is: Legally, do I need to disclose to the school and how many details do I need to give them?

I'm very embarrassed and would like to keep this under wraps (for now)

Thanks for your advice

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear greenfairy

Welcome back to the parents’ board. Thank you for your post.

You have had past children’s services’ involvement due to your husband’s arrest two years ago. From your previous posts, I understand that this was in relation to making/distributing child sexual images. The police investigation is ongoing. Children’s services assessed the situation and were willing to close the case with a safety plan in place whereby your husband is not allowed any unsupervised contact with your son. You agreed to supervise at all times.

Children’s services are likely to become involved again when there is clarity about the outcome of the criminal investigation.

You are the protective parent in the situation. Children’s services concerns for your children are around your husband’s alleged offences.

Your query is about what information you need to share with the primary school your son is due to attend in September. The school’s policy is to ask whether a social worker has been involved and if so they ask the parent to provide more information. The school have sent you a form to complete where these questions are asked.

I understand that this is a sensitive matter and you would prefer not to have to do this. I am sure you want to shield your son from being impacted in any way. However, as your husband is a person who may pose a risk of harm to children then the primary school your son will attend will need to be aware of the nature of the past social work involvement. They ask all parents whose children have or previously had a social worker to provide further details so this is not unique to your situation. This is because supporting and protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

Child Law Advice Education Line provide specialist advice about schools and how to work with them so I would encourage you to contact them to discuss the school form and how you are expected to complete it. Their contact details are telephone: 0300 330 5485 and email.

However, from a child protection point of view I would recommend that you and your husband are transparent about children's services past role, the current safety plan, and the reason for the ongoing criminal investigation. You are in a complicated situation because of your husband’s alleged offence and I appreciate that this puts a lot of responsibility on you. However, as your husband is the person being investigated for child sex offences and as he is also a parent with parental responsibility then it may be more appropriate for him to share the information or to do it jointly with you. If you as parents knowingly withhold relevant information this may reasonably cause further concerns. You have cooperated very well with children’s services in the past and it is important that you cooperate with your son’s school too.

I hope this helps.

Please post back if you need any further advice or contact the advice service via the freephone telephone helpline 0808 8010366, Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm (except bank holidays), by using our online advice enquiry form or by webchat.

Best wishes

Suzie

[greenfairy]

Hi Suzie,
my son has been at his school for almost 4 weeks now.

I put down on the registration form: "ss involvement in July 2022, case closed in August 2022, if you need any further information, please contact me".

So far nobody from the school safeguarding team has been in touch. Is this normal? Would they contact social services to find out more about the case?

Thanks for your advice.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear greenfairy

Thank you for your further post.

I understand your concern regarding the sensitive issues and wishing to protect your son, but it seems you have done all you can in respect of the school.

It may be that she school’s safeguarding lead has spoken to children’s services and satisfied him or herself about what you disclosed on the form. I think unlikely that the school will open the subject up as children’s services are satisfied that your son is safe in your care.

If the school has concerns, they would be in touch with you and or make a referral to children's services. I suggest you continue as you are and try not to be anxious about the situation. Your son is not going to be treated differently. Remember you have no idea what is happening for other children in the school who may be on child protection plans or in the same situation as your son. The school I am sure has experience of dealing with similar cases.

Hope this will help.

Best wishes

Suzie