Family Rights Group | Parents’ Forum

Hi,
I was looking for a bit of advice, social services have intervened with a section 47 because of some allegations my son has made against my partner, my partner has a criminal history but nothing towards children, the police have been called by the social an hes been in for a voluntary interview, he made a no comment interview as advised by his solicitor, i gave my version of events.

Event- my son was racially an verbally swearing an my partner threatened to ‘soap his mouth’ unbeknown it is actually illegal to do this now.
He did however put hand soap on his finger an wipe it along his face however my son told the school my partner ‘put soap in his mouth’. I told the police it was just a threat because soap never entered my sons mouth.

We are awaiting a section 17 but the social worker has visited my partner and has asked to talk about the investigation, my partner was advised once again to not talk with her about it however i was unaware that for the section 17 to be completed he is supposed to talk about it however he is unsure whether to say it was just a threat or whether to say what happened.

Will he be admitting to ‘assault’ which is what his solicitor has said the charge will be, will the social go against the NFA an go back to the police?

Hi Jimbobly,

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Dear Jimbobly

Welcome to the discussion board and thank you for your post. My name is Suzie, I am an online adviser and will be replying to you today.

Children’s services initiated a Section 47 child protection enquiry after allegations made by your son against your partner. Your son said that your partner put soap in his mouth to punish him. You said this was following your son racially abusing your partner. Your partner made threats to do this and swiped soap on his face but did not actually proceed to put the soap in his mouth.

Your partner, who has a criminal history unrelated to children, attended a voluntary police interview and as advised by his solicitor made ‘no comment’ to questioning about the incident. The police have said there is no further action from them (NFA).

Children’s services remain involved and as you now mention a Section 17 assessment, I will assume they have ‘stepped down’ their assessment to a children and family assessment rather than completing a Section 47 child protection assessment.

The social worker has spoken to your partner and is seeking to speak to him about the incident. Your partner has refused to discuss on the advice of his solicitor. You are concerned that if you and your partner discuss what happened and why, the police investigation may reopen, and your partner may be charged with assault as indicated by his solicitor.

A children and family assessment is voluntary not mandatory; therefore children’s services should have sought your consent to carry out this type of assessment. Please refer to the link above for further information and guidance on how children’s services should be working with you.

We would encourage you and your partner to be open and transparent with children’s services. It is not acceptable that your son racially abused your partner and equally, whilst putting soap in a child’s mouth is not illegal per se , it not acceptable for your partner to do so. It can cause physical harm such as irritation and potential poisoning which is illegal. It can also cause emotional harm.

From the information provided, the police have concluded that a crime has not been committed, and they have closed their file (if new information came to light, they could re-open their investigations). Children’s services and the police work from different thresholds. The police from beyond reasonable doubt and children’s services from probability.

The role of the social worker it to explore family dynamics, to understand relationships and to assess risk/potential risk to a child. To understand how parents set boundaries and punishments/rewards. The start of the assessment is an information gathering exercise, followed by analysis and recommendations. It is likely that the social worker completing the assessment is seeking to understand how and why the incident occurred and to explore this they will need to gather information from you, your partner and your child alongside professionals such as education and health. This is not in the context of a criminal investigation.

I have added HERE some information and guidance you may find helpful. It sets out how to work well with social workers, giving ‘top tips’ to support the relationship and what you may wish to consider if things are not going so well.

I hope you find this information helpful. If you would like to talk to an adviser at Family Rights Group about your situation, please call the freephone advice line on 0808 801 0366, Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm. If you prefer, you can post back, use our advice enquiry form or webchat. Please refer to our website for further information.

Best wishes, Suzie