Social services

[Notmystory]

Someone I know is currently in prison on remand for sexual abuse towards step daughter yesterday he had a video link in prison with social services they told him all kids are in foster care 3 aren't his only 1 is his biological child are they suppose to tell him?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Notmystory,

Thank you for your post and welcome to the parents’ forum. My name is Suzie and I am an online adviser responding to you today.

You explain that children’s services gave information to a father in prison that a sibling group of three children are in foster care. Only one of the children is the biological child, so your question is about whether children’s services should have given information that concerns the other children who are not the biological children of this man.

You explain that the father is on remand awaiting trial for sexual abuse of his stepdaughter, so any disclosure of information about the circumstances of the stepdaughter who is the alleged victim is a sensitive matter and could have been considered before the updating call took place. Mosac are a support organisation for mothers of sexually abused children and may be a useful agency to help in this situation. Their website is here.

It should be borne in mind that there are ways that a father can have parental responsibility (in law) even when he is not the biological parent. You can read more about parental responsibility here.

Family Rights Group page for fathers also explains how children’s services should work with fathers here.
If a sibling group of three previously lived together in one household and are now all in foster care, it could be difficult for a social worker to isolate news about one child in that group and not mention the circumstances of the others – a family members are interconnected.

However, if it is felt that the information has been shared wrongly; heightened any potential risk or caused distress this should be discussed with the social worker as soon as possible, so that changes in approach can be thought about.

The Family Rights Group guide to working with social workers may be useful here.

Information on children’s services complaints procedure is here
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

[Notmystory]

Thank you Suzie for you your response. The father is now got invited to attend the family court for Interim court order. What does this mean? The mother gave up on her children to be honest she don't deserve them they were neglected will the children go back to mum?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Notmystory,
Thank you for your further post.

An interim care order can be applied for when a local authority issues care proceedings. If the court agrees an interim care order the local authority shares parental responsibility with the parents and can have final say about where they should live and who should care for them for now. An interim care order is a temporary measure while the court decides whether a full care order is needed. The court will aim to complete the proceedings within 26 weeks.

A father with parental responsibility has to be included as a party in care proceedings and is entitled to legal aid to be represented by a solicitor. There is detailed information about care proceedings here.

Any concerns about neglect or abuse or risk of significant harm to the children will be fully analysed within the care proceedings. I am unaware of the details of the situation you are thinking about so I’m afraid I cannot comment on the likely outcome for those children.
You can read a definition of neglect here.

I hope this is of some help,

Best wishes,
Suzie

[Plam]

Good day to everyone. I want to ask which lawyers I can contact to file a lawsuit against social services. Thank you and have a nice day.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Plam,
Thank you for your post. I am Suzie a Family Rights Group online adviser replying to your enquiry.

Family Rights Group do not recommend particular legal representatives. The Law Society have a database you can use to find a registered solicitor in your area here. You should look for a firm that has childrens’ law accreditation.

There are advice sheets on the Family Rights Group website about challenging local authority decisions which you may find useful.

You can read the advice sheet about judicial review here and the advice sheet about human rights act claims here.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes,
Suzie/