Challenging Supervised Contact decision

[Mrbean123]

So last year our house was raised due to intelligence that our home Internet was used to search for indecent images.

I was arrested a few weeks later as a picture of my daughter was classed as indecent Cat C.

Let me just preface by saying that it's a single image, amongst thousands of family photos. My wife and I aware of the image and doesn't believe it to fit the category as alleged. We also strongly believe it was pulled into our photo library in error, as it was backed up from Google's recycle bin.

Spent 8 months on Child Protection whilst we await my devices to be checked. 8 months of social not doing anything for my children. Causing them emotional harm with their decisions. They've consistently lied, bullied are happy to simply ignore us when it suits them. The SW is also considerably sloppy with data protection.
Oh and still no written safety plan signed off.

I've been having supervised contact for 5/6 months. My wife was recognized as being safe during the last conference and we're dropped to Child Protection Plan. No Risks listed but a worry that no outcome for the investigation yet.

Wife is not allowed to supervise since the start due to her belief of the image. We've now asked social again and despite all our efforts she is still being told no. The SW was tasked at the last conference to discuss with her manager. The below is an extraction from her email response.

I'd like to know how I can politely challenge this - as it's very common for the SW, her manager and head of service to simply ignore me. It's understood the polices' categorisation in all the reports - this was already verified at the start (hence my arrest and following actions) We do contest the policies decision on this but cannot do more until devices are checked and cleared.

"Although I understand the confusion around the discrepancies between the discussions at the RCPC and that with the police, this was because the police weren’t at the RCPC to verify that the image of XXX is an indecent image – which they have now. As you know, no decisions were made about XXX supervising the contact at the RCPC. I was going to check in with my manager about that, and this happened with the police, and we came to a different conclusion around XXX supervising the contact"

The comments before this from SW were:

"Officer affirmed that the image of XXX that you took was an indecent image and we shared our concerns around XXX struggle to accept this to be the case. As a result, we are still not certain it is appropriate or fair on XXX to expect her to supervise your contact with the children."

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Mrbean123

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

You explain that the police investigation into alleged offences in relation to child sexual images is ongoing. Children’s services continue to be involved with your children because of this. You explain that the children have been on a child protection plan for 8 months. You mention that your wife was recognised as ‘safe’ at the last conference and say that you were ‘dropped to a child protection plan.’ I am unsure if you mean that the plan was ‘stepped down’ to child in need or whether there continues to be a child protection plan in place. If you post back, please can you clarify this.

Children’s services do not currently recommend that your wife should supervise your contact with your children. There has been some disputes and discrepancies noted. The social worker and their manager have discussed these issues and your family situation. It seems that the police have now confirmed that one of the images referenced was an ‘indecent image.’ If your wife does not accept this, that raises concerns for children’s services about her suitability to supervise your contact with the children.

I understand that this is a difficult situation for your family. You are very unhappy with the process, the lack of a written and signed safety plan and children’s services’ decision that your wife cannot safely supervise.

It is very important that there is a written safety plan setting out what children’s services’ expectations are and what you and your wife agree to. The plan should also clearly say what action children’s services would take if you or your wife did not adhere to it. So, I would suggest that you ask for this to be actioned urgently.

You can challenge children’s services’ decisions or practice. You/your wife may want to ask children’s services (in writing) to provide you with a copy of their policies in assessing risk and assessing the protective parent’s capacity including to safely supervise children.
You can formalise the areas that you are unhappy with or wish to challenge in writing. You can formalise this as a complaint if you wish. Please see here for detailed advice on how to complain. It is always a good idea when challenging to continue to work openly with children’s services and to reiterate that the children’s welfare is your main concern too.

As previously advised, you can also discuss the current restrictions and recommendations around contact with a lawyer. Alternatively, Child Law Advice provide free and confidential advice on private law orders on their helpline: 0300 330 5480 or by email.

I hope this is helpful.

If you need further advice or information, please post back, or seek advice via one of the options linked to here.

Best wishes

Suzie

[Mrbean123]

Yes, sorry I meant Child in Need plan. This was based on the level of support my wife receives, and that the children are safe with her.
Although we are still awaiting the outcome of the seized electronics being reviewed, this is now only deemed a 'worry' , not listed as a risk.

The polices stance on the image being indecent Category C has remained unchanged since the start of this. This was the whole reason I was arrested and released on bail. I'm unsure as to why this point needed clarification as quite frankly, the police would not suddenly change their opinion as this makes any arrests unlawful.

As much as I would like to raise a complaint and a request for this to be reviewed. I'm concerned that this will prompt more harsh attitude towards myself and/or my wife. Socials attitude has been "guilty until proven innocent" and their actions are directed by the police rather than the needs of my children. As the social worker put it to my wife, there's not much help for "middle class families". Any concerns or ignored questions I follow up with the manager or head of service - both of which constantly ignore me.

It's extremely frustrating because my children constantly demonstrate to the social worker they are unharmed and need their family, despite the actions of the department.

To date, social have had zero engagement with me, as the father. We were refused any LFF training due to costs and told we were not allowed to fund this ourselves.

As a family, we feel our children are completely let down my social services. It feels as if they've approached this with a situation and outcome in mind, the facts don't agree with this and now they have tunnel vision.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Mrbean123

Thank you for your response. I will reiterate the advice given to you in my previous post. If you are not satisfied with the service you are receiving from the local authority then I suggest you consider raising a formal complaint. I understand your reluctance to do this and acknowledge your concerns about possible ramifications to you and your family, but this is the formal way to seek redress to your concerns. As you will see from the link HERE after you have made a formal complaint children’s services will need to respond within the set timescales.

In respect of children’s services engagement with you, sometimes fathers can be overlooked or excluded from decisions made about their children. On this page HERE our aim is to help fathers understand their legal rights and responsibilities. And to know the options available if they need support. You may want to start by looking at our Children’s services page. This shares helpful information about what children’s services do and how they should work.

Further, I have added HERE our ‘top tips’ when working with social workers and what you might wish to consider if you are not satisfied with the service they are providing.

I hope you find the information helpful.

Best wishes, Suzie