Do I still have parental responsibility?

[Riri13]

My 2 children (12 and 15) have been taken in by their auntie today after I voluntary signed I think an s67 form. Do I still have parental responsibility?

Childrens services came to my home 3 days ago. After letting them in they decided that the home was unfit for the children and took them to the office to talk to them. I admit that yes my home was disgusting as my mental health had seriously declined over Christmas as I was missing my mother who died in 2017. One of the main concerns was the children's bedroom being a tip, which I had been asking them to clean for about a week and they still hadn't done it. Another thing was my 15 year old hadn't had a bath for a week or so after splitting with her boyfriend. She told the social worker that I hadn't provided things to be able to bath even though there is shampoo, conditioner and towels available, she chose not to bath. This is a few of the things alongside them apparently having too many chores, no food (the freezer has food in it), my attitude because I have raised my voice at them, no strict routine and a few other things.
Childrens services have said because they were involved years ago, probably going on 5 or 6 years now, that's why they have intervened so strongly.
Today they came and said that the children are going to be in the care of their paternal auntie who lives a good 140 miles away from me. I'm worried about this as she is in regular contact with their dad who left me over a year ago. He has been absolutely horrible to his children and even threatened to kill the 15 year old. I voluntary signed the form after legal advice and to make it less stressful for the children as didn't want it all going through courts. The social worker though acted like I had no responsibility for them now and the only thing I need to give permission for is if the children want any piercings. Is this right? I've also read that as I voluntary signed the forms they are "looked after children" and not actually fostered. Is this also correct and what does it fully mean?

Thank you for any help

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Riri13,

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

You explain that your children are living with their paternal aunt following the intervention of children’s services due to some concerns.

You have signed a voluntary agreement to place the children in the care of their aunt. You describe this as a s67 but I think it is more likely that you have signed a S.20 voluntary agreement for your children to be looked after. You can read more about S.20 on the Family Rights Group website here.

Under a S.20 voluntary agreement the local authority do not gain parental responsibility for the children – instead you retain your parental responsibility and should be consulted about all decisions and kept updated about your children’s wellbeing. As looked after children they will each have a care plan which is reviewed regularly by the social worker and the independent reviewing officer.

You can read more about care plans, looked after child reviews and the role of the independent reviewing officer here.

You should speak to the social worker about your fears about possible risk from the children’s father while in their paternal aunt’s care and how this can be addressed at your earliest opportunity. You do not have to wait for looked after child reviews to raise important questions such as this.

I just want to clarify what is meant by the term 'looked after'. Children can be ‘looked after’ under a voluntary agreement or under an interim or full care order. You can read more about children looked after under care orders here.

A care plan for a looked after child includes contact arrangements. You mention that the children are now living 140 miles away from you. When a child is looked after under a voluntary arrangement the law says children’s services must try to ‘promote’ contact between the child and other people in the family, including the parents, provided it is safe to do so. You should discuss the practical arrangements for journeys to contact and the expense of this so that you can see the children regularly.

You also mention that your difficulties grew when your mental health became worse. It’s harder to keep up with a child’s developmental stage and needs when your own mental health is troubled, and you are affected by the loss of your mother in 2017 - with certain times of year being more difficult than others. I wonder if you might find some online parenting courses helpful?

Family Lives have information about parenting teenagers and online courses on their website here.
You could speak to your GP about mental health support. There also organisations that can support with bereavement 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;
• 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