PLO meeting

[Ash453]

Hi, I am currently going through a domestic violence and assault on my child from her father. He has denied all allegations. Despite this he is a very good father that struggles very badly with mental health. I’m just worried as to what happens at PLO meetings, my child is currently in the care of my mother(I am still able to live with them). What is the next steps? And if her father can prove to be getting help with his mental health and show he is a good father is there possibility of being a family again in the future?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Ash453

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser.

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you and your family are experiencing. You explain that children’s services are involved with your family. Your child’s father is alleged to have been domestically abusive and to have assaulted your child. He does not accept responsibility. He also has poor mental health. In other ways, you explain that he is a good father.

Your child has been placed in the care of your mother. You live there too.

You are worried about what will happen in the future and whether you and your partner and child may be able to be a family again if he gets the right help. You query what happens at Public Law Outline (PLO) meetings so I think that you are now going into this process.

I cannot predict what will happen, but I can explain more about the processes you are going through and provide suggestions about what you and your partner can do to try to address the concerns.

As I am sure you know, domestic abuse, physical abuse of a child and untreated parental mental health difficulties are all serious concerns and can harm or negatively impact on children. You don’t say if there are current criminal investigations into the alleged domestic abuse and child assault but there may well be. So, there may be criminal consequences to your partner’s behaviour too; this would impact on children’s services’ involvement also.

As you say, it is important that your partner accesses the mental health support he needs. He can contact his GP directly, but children’s services may also make recommendations about specific assessments or services as part of the PLO process.

Your partner will need to take responsibility for his actions, you say he denies all allegations. This is not a good starting point especially as the situation has escalated.

You and your partner should both have solicitors to assist you in the pre-proceedings (PLO) process. It is best if they have children law accreditation. Your solicitors should ensure that you understand what needs to change. You can find out more about what the process involves here but in brief the purpose is for children’s services to set out very clearly what their concerns are, what you and your partner can do to address them, identify your child and family’s needs and put in the required support and services needed. The process can prevent care proceedings happening. However, if the outcome is that the child is still suffering harm then this process can lead to care proceedings starting.

It is important that you and your partner both work with children’s services, any other professionals involved and your solicitors. We have tips to help you do this:

• Guide to working with a social worker
• Guide to working with a solicitor.

It is a good idea to involve your family and friends’ network too; you can do this via a family group conference (FGC). Your mum is already involved in caring for your child but there may be more help and support your network can provide.

I hope this helps.

I know you may have more questions and have lots to think about. If you would like to speak to an adviser in more detail about your situation, please call the freephone advice line on 0808 8010366. The lines are open from Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm.

If you prefer, you can post back on this board, send an advice enquiry or use our webchat.

Best wishes

Suzie