social services

[plm.006]

hi uk area.
I had a call of a social worker a few days ago, they're saying i need to be allocated a social worker because of my baby's father. he was involved with my baby but now hasn't contacted me for a few days and doesn't want anything to do with him if it's in my terms.
why would social services be involved when my babies father isn't currently seeing him and we aren't in an relationship
they said they need to come round and tell me some things they've been found out about him. could this be serious as for me to be allocated a social worker it must be.
they've also said he will need to do a parenting assessment before he can have any contact with my baby. surely this must be serious. i don't want social involvement as im a good mum and i don't want anything to do with babies dad so surely there's no risk to baby? will they contact him if i say i don't want ANY contact with him or him to have any contact with my baby as i think this will create issues and make him want to be back in our lives and control. he's not on the birth certificate.

just looking for some answers many thanks

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear plm.006,

Thank you for your posts and welcome to the Parents’ Forum. My name is Suzie and I am an online adviser replying to you today. I will respond to both of your posts here.

I am sorry to hear that you have been having a stressful time.

You explain that you were contacted by children’s services as they wish to speak with you about your baby’s father. This would suggest that children’s services have received information about his history or current circumstances that could potentially pose a risk to your child’s safety, and they feel you need to be made aware of any risks so that you can act as a protective parent.

I can well understand that this approach may have come as a shock to you and could feel a bit intrusive. It’s important to remember that children’s services are offering you crucial information and support to consider your response to any risks from your baby’s father and then make decisions that are in the best interests of your child. It may be useful for you to read the Family Rights Group guide to working with social workers here.

You are due to be given information by children’s services, but it may be empowering for you to know that under Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) you can request disclosure for yourself. You can read about the full details about this process here.

You explain that you are not in a relationship with your baby’s father and that he is not named on the birth certificate. This means that he does not currently have parental responsibility in legal terms, but he could take steps to acquire it – such as applying for a parental responsibility order. You can read more about the different ways that parental responsibility can be obtained here. There is also useful information about parental responsibility on the Family Rights Group page for mothers here.

If your baby’s father does obtain parental responsibility, he would be able to make an application to court for a child arrangements order to be involved in his child’s life. You can read more about child arrangements orders here. The court would seek your response to this application and would listen to any concerns about risk from the father. If there is any history of domestic abuse you may be eligible for legal aid to pay for a solicitor. You can read more about this eligibility on the Child Law Advice website here.

You ask about parenting assessments and how they are conducted. I can only give a general answer to this. The assessment encompasses various areas, such as the parent’s abilities in addressing their child’s educational, physical, and emotional needs. It also considers how engaged the parent is with the child, and their ability to communicate and co-parent effectively with the other parent. You should talk over the details about the length of time for assessment and how it will be organised with the social worker who is due to be in touch with you and also highlight your concerns.

I hope this information was useful to you. Please feel free to come back to us for further support.
There are many different ways to contact Family Rights Group.

• A free telephone advice line open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 3pm (excluding Bank Holidays) on 0808 801 0366
• Easy-to-follow online information. Features include an A-Z, FAQs, films, ‘top tips’ and legal advice sheets;
• Online forums where families can receive advice, discuss issues, and find support;
• A webchat service where you can message an adviser online, who will help you find information and advice to support you.
• A web enquiry form – to help you submit an email and receive a reply within five working days.

Best wishes,
Suzie