Posted on behalf of Kati

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

This is a post that Kati sent to Suzie directly. We have her permission to post it on the boards so that she can benefit from everyone's advice but we have edited it to preserve anonymity:

For the past three years, my sons (aged X and X) and I were involved with a Social Worker Assistant in AREA A (where we lived at the time) and things seemed to be going well. Every time this lady visited my home, she was friendly and polite – never once telling me that there were any concerns/problems. She was always complimenting me on the way I was coping as a single mother, she met my new partner (after two years of contact with Social Services) when he visited, offered to help me when I told her I wanted to move back into AREA B (where my family is), and even congratulated my partner and I when I found out I was pregnant and my partner moved to live with us. Then I received a telephone call from their office saying that I would need to have an ‘initial assessment’ to ascertain if there was any risk to my unborn child. At this time, I agreed to having the assessment, and a social worker came out to the house. The assessment took place, and at the end of this visit, my partner and I were informed by the woman that she could see no problems apart from the fact we could use some help with the housing (which had already been offered by the assistant we had contact with) and said she would email me a copy of her report - and arrange a visit so that she could come out and go through it with us.

Then I was evicted. The first thing I did was telephone AREA A social services asking for assistance in finding a place for my family. I spoke to the Social Worker who had done the assessment, who promised to ring me back when she had spoken to her manager (to find out what help she could offer at that time). We had two dogs and a cat; they needed homes finding for while we were essentially homeless. I arranged to take them (at my own expense) to an animal sanctuary in AREA B as ‘boarders’ until I had a new home. I rang AREA A S.S and asked for a message to be passed onto the social worker. I was told - again - that she would be in touch soon. We waited.
After approx. an hour, I called social services again to see if there was anything they could do … asking to speak to the social worker I had previously spoken to. I was informed that she was ‘busy’ and that I would have to wait for her to ‘get around to contacting me’. With no other options available (knowing I would already be in AREA B dropping off the pets later on that evening) I asked a family friend if we could spend the night in their spare room. This was agreed, and we decided that (seeing as we had already applied for a council house in AREA B) we would present as ‘homeless’ the next morning in AREA B as we would already be there. I again telephoned AREA A social services (still no phone call from them) to inform them of this, and was told that I would be contacted later on that day by the social worker we knew.

AT NO TIME WAS I ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT WE HAD KNOWN FOR THREE YEARS AS SHE ONLY WORKED CERTAIN DAYS AND WAS NOT IN THE OFFICE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY.

When we could wait no longer, and with still no call from AREA A S.S, we set off to drop the pets at the sanctuary - and to get settled at my friend’s house for the night. The next morning, my family approached AREA B County Council and presented as homeless. We were placed in temporary accommodation through AREA B that same afternoon (being told that we would have this place for a maximum of 14 weeks while we found alternative housing with their help).
During our time in this temporary accommodation (approx. 11 weeks), my partner and I spent our time finding a suitable house, starting claims for JSA/housing benefit/council tax benefit, arranging rental of a van (to collect what we could from our old house), sourcing - and pricing up/budgeting for - essentials for the baby, registering with the local doctors (and getting appointments/scans etc…). All of this was achieved with no help from AREA A S.S … in fact; they had not been in contact with us at any point since my last telephone call to them on the day of my eviction. We came to the conclusion that Social Services could have had no concerns about our family, that there were no problems, and that we would have no further dealings with them.

Then there was an unexpected phone call (to my partner’s mobile) from AREA B Social Services. We were told that there had been concerns raised with them, by AREA A S.S, about my children and unborn baby (these included FALSE claims that I had a history of depression and alcohol abuse). We were informed that a second initial assessment would have to be carried out and, again, agreed to a visit. The social worker (name removed) came out, spent an hour talking to us as a family and left - telling us that we would be getting a copy of her report soon, but that there were no real concerns that we had to worry about. During this visit she had touched on the so-called concerns (which were emphatically repudiated by myself at the time) and seemed to accept that they were false. She mentioned that we had not started buying things for the baby, but agreed that with our already sourced/budgeted for findings we should be ready in time. She did suggest that midwives are a good source of good quality (used) baby equipment - which I said I would bear in mind at my next midwife appointment - and seemed happy with the fact that I was also looking into various grants/schemes to assist us with the additional expenses involved in moving home and baby’s arrival. As far as my partner and I were concerned, the social worker (named removed) left our home with all the makings of a great report … she had intimated that she had no concerns, that we were doing everything right, that there was little (if anything) she could do to help us.

Not long after her visit, we found our new home. Things moved quickly, and within 8 days, we were signing the tenancy agreement and preparing for the move. I emailed the social worker (named removed), after we had moved in, informing her of our change in circumstances/address - so that we could still get our copy of the assessment she had completed - and telling her what we had done (in the days since her visit) towards preparing for the move/settling in and the baby’s arrival. She was on annual leave, and when she returned to work I received a reply to my communication informing me that she wanted to do a core assessment on both myself and my partner (saying that it would help us to prepare for the baby and enable her to address ‘concerns’ regarding the boys education). In the email I had sent her, I had told her that we were doing ok without any help … we had started buying things, had been to an appointment with ‘FamilyWise’ and were getting help with referrals for grants/funds, had found places to go to obtain cheap quality furniture (to replace what we had left in AREA A), that we were looking into the local schools for my children (currently home educated, but if they would benefit from mainstream schooling we would apply to the best school available). There was nothing in my correspondence with her that would have highlighted any problems - I was more than happy to tell her everything we had achieved since she had done her assessment (I thought I should feel proud of myself).

I replied, stating that while we were more than happy for her to visit to go through the assessment she had already done, but asking for her reasons for the concerns she now professed to having (after being told - by her - after her previous visit, that she had no apprehensions regarding her findings). I asked her whether the core assessments that she wanted to carry out on my partner and I were for ‘child in need’ or ‘child protection’ reasons, and informed her of our position regarding the children’s education (I am in contact with the local LEA, have provided an Educational Philosophy, am a member of various home education support groups, and have no legal obligation to discuss my decisions with anyone on this matter unless the LEA decides there is a problem. My partner is a qualified teacher, and their education is deemed ‘suitable’ at this time). I asked the social worker (named removed) if she would clarify her position and tell me of her concerns, as we had been under the impression that there were no problems after her visit.

Her response to my asking for clarification of these concerns was an email:

“I have spoken to my manager (named removed), and a core assessment under children in need procedures is felt necessary given past concerns by AREA AB County Council and concerns from AREA B County Council from where you recently moved.

I am happy to share my initial assessment with yourself and ****.

The purpose of the core assessment is to ascertain whether there are any services you require to assist with the children and to identify any concerns which may lead to child protection procedures.”

I replied, re-stating that I wanted clarification of the concerns. Informing her that AREA B County Council had closed the case file on my family when I had initially moved to AREA A and that my involvement with AREA A social services had not commenced for a long time after my move (showing there were NO concerns at that time). I reiterated that (as we had told her at the initial assessment) that AREA A social services contact in the past three years had been limited to the occasional visit from a social work assistant and the initial assessment (which we have not even seen) that was done before we relocated to AREA B, that there were no concerns (that we had been told about) regarding my parenting capabilities in this time, and stressing the fact that they had not contacted me once since the day I was evicted to offer support/assistance (or even to ask how we were doing) leading us to believe that there were no problems. I finished this email asking again for clarification of the ‘concerns’.

After waiting for two days, I received this:

“Hope you are well

I have received the assessment done by AREA A social services and there were concerns highlighted in that. I’m sorry that they have not been shared with you.

After out meeting I was also worried about *** and ****’s education, but you have explained that that is in hand. I was also worried that on moving to your new property they wouldn’t have anywhere to sleep. You explained that you did not have any beds. This alongside the fact that you have very little with regards for new baby’s impending arrival is worrying. I appreciate that you have sourced the items but that it very different to actually having the items ready.

I would really appreciate it if you could let me know when a suitable time would be for me to call round to your new home and discuss these issues further.”

Notice there is no mention of a core assessment in this reply, and still no answers to the questions I posed (on two separate occasions) regarding the concerns she now had. There is no mention of previous concerns from AREA B County Council (as I had pointed out; they had closed the file so long ago with no concerns). There is, however, a declaration that she has recently received the assessment from AREA A and that this has raised concerns. I have still not had these concerns told to me, I do not understand why my requests have been ignored in regards to this. I am starting to feel victimised, not helped by this social worker. After her initial assessment (while we were still in temporary accommodation) she inferred that she had no problems/concerns regarding my family, leading us to believe that the assessment was complete and she did not feel that we would benefit from continued involvement. She did not mention any worries about the fact that we had no beds (for the new house) for my children at the initial assessment - although we had stated that it was the first thing we were buying before moving in - and has not asked us if we managed to acquire any since her visit. Incidentally my children’s sleeping arrangements were resolved when we moved into our permanent home. She agreed with us at the initial assessment that we had the time available to ensure our readiness for the birth of my baby (given that we had already started planning/sourcing/budgeting for this) and has not asked if I have procured anything to date - which I have. She has still not told me what the ‘concerns’ are to make her feel a core assessment would be appropriate at this time, or why the assessments (2) would be of myself and my partner, and not one for the family as a whole. I have given her more than enough information/evidence to provide her with proof that we are capable of buying the necessary items before my child is due (date removed) and also of procuring additional furniture required for our permanent home.

Bearing in mind the assessment would be for ‘child in need’ and not ‘child protection’. Am I within my rights to continue asking for clarification of the ‘concerns’ she now professes to have (before agreeing to the core assessment) so that we were prepared for any questions she could have? Could I ask for copies of all her notes before accepting her back into my home? Would I get them? Is she, as it seems to us, trying to get us to agree to an assessment without us being aware of the facts beforehand? If we agreed to this assessment without prior knowledge of the concerns she says have been raised, would she start the assessment at the initial visit (when we first got to learn of the nature of these concerns)? Or would her visit just be to give us a copy of her initial assessment and to tell us what the concerns are?

As you can imagine, we are worried about the outcome of her initial assessment - but we are unsure of her motives at this time. We are, moreover, apprehensive that our requests for clarification will come across as us being obstructive, which would not be beneficial to a speedy outcome in this matter. Any advice you could give me on this issue would be gratefully received.

Kati

[Worriedmother]

Absolutely shocking...

After a quick read my initial reaction would be that you write to the SW in area A informing them that SW in area B wants to carry out a core assessment based on concerns that SW A has. State that the SW A has never raised any concerns with you and if thee were any you would need to know what they were in order to address them. State that you want a reply in writing within 10 days or you will consider moving to the formal complaints procedure.

At the same time write a letter to SW in area B, enclose a copy of the letter to SW in area A. State that once you have received an answer in writing to your letter from SW A you will be in a position to respond to the request for a core assessment.

Close the letter by saying that you have always co-operated with social services and clearly it would be unreasonable for you to address concerns if you don't know what they are.

When you write these letters don't go into all the details just give the information outlined above.

Send both letters by recorded delivery and keep copies. Do not delay with these letters. Send them now.

That's my advice for what it's worth. Oh and you might want to begin your letters by stating 'Having taken advice from a third party...' That should help.

All the best.

[Kati]

Thanks for that @Worriedmother ... I thought that I might sound confrontational (which would tend to make matters worse) if I carried on asking for clarification before agreeing to the Core Assessment. It's not that I wouldn't accept any help they had to offer (if it was actually needed, I would gladly accept anything) but the wording of the letter from the social worker in Area B made me believe that there was more to her 'concerns' than she was telling me.

Yesterday, she came out with copies of her initial assessments for my two sons (there hasn't been one on my unborn baby) and told me that these were done BEFORE she had received anything except the initial referral from Area A - meaning she did them without knowing all the facts - which have only now been sent to her (after another 3 weeks). Her initial assessments are full of mistakes, and make references to things that are totally untrue (while stating that I 'completely deny them' they seem to make me out to be a liar). My partner and I have not signed these assessments yet ... we told her that we wanted to read through them first, and then we would contact her to tell her of any changes/additions we wanted to be written into the end result.

I am now going to write to BOTH Childrens' Services teams, asking for copies of the paperwork they hold on myself and my children (my partner until meeting me has had no contact with social services at all) and read through these with a view to making complaints to both area managers.

Kati

[Kati]

Slight update:

Yesterday I emailed sw B requesting access to the records she holds on myself and my family under the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of information Act 2000. First thing this morning ... a reply; saying that I would have to follow her departments guidelines to make the request (details of how to do this were not provided).

I sent this: "As stated in the Data Protection Act 1998, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am allowed to request these documents. After taking independent advice, and being informed that a letter or email requesting this information is legally recognised (not dependant on whether I follow local guidelines as to the method of a request), I am - for the second time - making a subject access request to any and all information about myself and my family held within your department. This includes copies of all records (both hand-written and computerised) copies of all emails, faxes, letters, telephone messages, internal memos and 'running sheets' . If this request is denied for a second time, then I will be taking the matter to the Informations Commissioner and my local MP."

I have also sent a request along these lines to the sw from Area A.

Waiting with baited breath to see the results now

Kati

[frustrated mum]

I may be wrong but dont they have to reply to your request within 20 days?

[Kati]

i'd heard it was 40 ... either way, I'm hoping to get a speedy-ish result (my baby is due mid Dec, and I won't want the hassle after that )

[Kati]

Got a reply first thing this morning:

"Everybody can access their records. XXXXXX Council’s procedure for any service user to access their information has to be followed.
The information is in the access to records leaflet I gave you on my initial home visit."

These leaflets were misplaced when we moved house after her initial home visit - and she has not given me any more (or told me how she believess a request has to be done)

Either the sw here doesn't read my emails (my FOI request was well worded and clear I thought) or she is trying to make things difficult .....
This is the second time (in two days) this sw has denied me access to these records by telling me I have to follow 'procedure' - when the law clearly states that once I have asked for the documents, the person I have asked should pass on my request to the person who would deal with these things (if they cannot do this themselves).

I have emailed her (last time before I put in an official complaint):
"It may be helpful for you to know that a request for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 should be responded to within 40 days.

If you do not normally deal with these requests, please pass this letter to your Data Protection Officer. If you need advice on dealing with this request, the Information Commissioner’s Office can assist you and can be contacted on 0303 123 1113 or at http://www.ico.org.uk "

I really could do without the hassle of having to deal with this right now doesn't this sw understand that by doing this, she is making it harder than it has to be?? It's not as if I am asking for anything I do not have a right to see - or that I am trying to make her job harder than it should be. All I have done is put in a 'subject access request' for MY OWN information