I'm now fighting through family court to keep my children

[Frazor]

On the 8th January 2026 a social worker and her manager texted and emailed me to go into a meeting, they didn't explain what the meeting was for , they asked me what exactly they could do to help, i said to please just stop threatening to take my children away if we are 5 minutes late. They're writing lies the social worker is saying one thing to me, to the extent of filling up with tears that's it's all wrong. So if you know that children are going to be taken from me , say something be honest for goodness sake. She says it's not a simple as that now because court proceedings have already began. These people are cruel they didn't tell this plan until January 8th but they already had the foster homes ready for my 2 children. They went into both my children's schools and told both my children they were going to live with a really nice family in a really nice house, it was said in court that they are so concerned about my children that they have been paying foster parents since December 2025 but didn't tell me until 8th January 2026. They tell me they don't want to remove children from family's they try to keep family's together . So wot do they call this. They're horrible i couldn't do this to a family knowing it's for the wrong reasons. If they can't see how much my children are safe loved happy and cared then clearly there's something wrong . Im not aloud to speak in court not aloud to say that they can sit there and tell lies. How on earth is this helping anyone im looking at my kids and the thought of not having my family with me is soul destroying i can't even describe the pain im feeling. I feel so sorry for them both they obviously know wots going on although i try my best to stay strong. Our love for one another as to be seen i could not bare the thought of either of my children without me, living with strangers. On the other hand if the judge sees wots wot and decides that my children stay with me and we can live in peace i would be the happiest woman in the world . Can anyone relate to this because i feel im fighting alone in the private family court. It's like ive done something seriously wrong when ive done nothing. It's cruel because if i seen someone going through this straight away u think well if ss r trying to take children away then somethings seriously wrong. My children are my world they light up my whole world life wud be dark without them ...

[Winter25]

Hi Frazor,

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. What you’ve written captures a level of shock and distress that many parents feel when proceedings move from “working with you” to court without clear warning. You’re not weak for feeling like this, what you’re describing is genuinely traumatic.

A few important things to ground you, because when everything feels overwhelming it’s easy to feel like you’re powerless or already losing, and you’re not.

First, the way you were called into a meeting without being told its purpose, while plans were already being made behind the scenes, is something many parents experience and struggle with. It doesn’t mean the outcome is decided. It does explain why you feel blindsided and mistrustful now.

Second, the fact that foster placements were identified in advance does not mean removal is inevitable. Local authorities are required to contingency-plan. They often do this very early, sometimes far earlier than parents are told, and it feels cruel because it’s hidden. But planning does not equal permission or outcome. Only a judge decides whether children are removed.

Third, being told you “can’t speak” in court is usually about procedure, not silencing. In family court, parents normally speak through their solicitor or barrister, not directly across the room. That doesn’t mean your voice isn’t heard though it means it has to be channelled properly. It feels unbearable, but it isn’t the same as being ignored.

About the schools: professionals speaking to children in ways that cause distress or confusion is deeply upsetting for parents, and it’s something courts take seriously when raised calmly and clearly. What matters is impact on the children, not accusations. This is something to log and raise with your legal team.

You are also right about something else you said, when people hear “social services and court,” they assume a parent must have done something terrible. That stigma is very real, and it isolates parents badly. You are not imagining that. But judges work from evidence, not public assumptions.

Right now, the most important things you can do are:

• Stay regulated in front of professionals, even when you’re breaking inside
• Keep everything factual and recorded (dates, what was said, who said it)
• Lean on your solicitor to challenge inaccuracies – that is literally their job
• Keep showing the court the same picture over time: stability, care, love, routine

Cases are not decided on one meeting, one allegation, or one moment of distress. They are decided on patterns and evidence.

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For full transparency, I am not an official adviser. I am a parent with lived experience of the family court system, offering strategic guidance. Always consult with a solicitor regarding ongoing court proceedings.

[VD2ER]

Court proceedings have already begun: This implies a PLO process has already started where you will have been given access to a solicitor via Legal Aid. Can you confirm?

Has there been a Threshold Document that will outline the local authority claims?

You should be represented in in Court and you will be given a time to make your case either directly or through a solicitor or barrister. All I can say is that courts work on documents presented to the court and less on what is said in a hearing. It is important to counter any erroneous claims with third party witness statements, not just hearsay.
The court should have appointed a guardian who represents your children. Keep her on your side and try not to attribute blame but propose a positive way forward of working with professionals to understand how your behaviour should change, by way of example.

I wish you all the best.

I am a father who is currently battling with the local authority to see more of his children, despite being the non-fault party with a glowing parenting assessment.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Frazor

Welcome back to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. This is Suzie, Family Rights Group's online adviser.

I am sorry to hear how difficult things are for you and your children at the moment. I can see how important your children are to you and how much you want to continue to care for them at home. I understand from your previous posts that the children have been living at home with you under care orders for several years. But children’s services have taken their case back to court to ask the court to decide if the children should be placed in unrelated foster care.

I hope that your solicitor is advising you on how best to present your case to the court. It is very clear that you believe that you are best placed to care for the children in your home and that this would be best for them. Please do ensure that your solicitor considers with you how to respond to any concerns raised and how to puts forward your best argument.

You have had prompt advice and support from other parents on this forum already which I hope has helped you. It is important thought that you get advice that is as accurate as possible to your situation, the area you live in, the legal jurisdiction and child welfare services there. Please look back at the email I sent in January which included links to a range of services in your area (including legal advice) or scroll to the relevant section of our useful links page here. There are also links to emotional support, parenting and family services too which may be useful.

I hope this helps.

With best wishes

Suzie