Social services drug testing and safeguarding

[Fredred12!]

FRG post: Children’s Services refusing to progress assessments without a hair-strand test, despite alternative testing and no concerns during contact

I am seeking advice from anyone who has experienced similar circumstances with Children’s Services, particularly in Wales.

Children’s Services are insisting that I undergo another hair-strand drug test, relying on historical testing from approximately a year ago. They have told me that without this test, they cannot progress a drug assessment or complete a parenting-capacity assessment.

The key issue is that neither assessment has been completed. I am being told that the assessments cannot progress until I undergo the particular test they are demanding, yet I have offered alternative testing and have provided evidence relevant to my current circumstances.

My circumstances include:

* Previous negative laboratory urinalysis results.
* Engagement with GDAS over approximately a year.
* Approximately nine weeks of contact-centre observations without concerns.
* No incidents during contact indicating that I was under the influence of drugs or that my parenting capacity was impaired.
* Offers to undertake further testing through laboratory urine, blood and a sweat patch.

Despite this, Children’s Services insist that they will only accept a hair-strand test. I have not received a satisfactory explanation of why the alternative methods I have offered are insufficient or what current evidence justifies making this particular test a precondition for further assessment.

My concerns about the different treatment of the parents

The father’s drug and alcohol test results reportedly identified ketamine use, cocaine and excessive alcohol consumption, with findings extending into March 2026.

Despite these results, he has retained primary care of our daughter without equivalent restrictions on his parenting arrangements.

By contrast, I have experienced restrictions on my contact and parenting arrangements for approximately a year, despite my engagement with GDAS, subsequent negative laboratory urinalysis results and the absence of observed concerns during contact.

I appreciate that each parent’s circumstances must be assessed individually. However, I am concerned about whether the local authority has applied a consistent, evidence-based approach to assessing the risks associated with both parents.

My questions

1. Can Children’s Services make a hair-strand test a precondition for conducting a drug assessment and parenting-capacity assessment?
2. Should they explain why the alternative testing methods I have offered are insufficient and why another hair-strand test is necessary?
3. If there is no court order specifically requiring another hair-strand test, what are the implications of declining that particular test while remaining willing to undertake alternatives?
4. How can I challenge the apparent disparity between the restrictions imposed on me and the father’s continued primary care following his reported test results?
5. Can Children’s Services continue to rely on concerns about drug use to justify restrictions without completing an assessment of my current circumstances and parenting capacity?
6. What independent advice or formal challenge is available in Wales?

I am not refusing to engage with testing. I have offered alternative methods and engaged with GDAS. My concern is that the local authority has made one particular test a condition of progressing assessments, without adequately explaining its necessity.

I am effectively unable to progress through the assessment process because I have not agreed to the specific testing method demanded, yet the assessments that could evaluate my current circumstances and parenting capacity have not been completed.

I want safeguarding decisions to be based on current evidence, a proper assessment of each parent and a clear explanation of the risks that justify continued restrictions.

Has anyone experienced this in Wales, particularly where the local authority will not progress assessments without hair-strand testing, despite alternative testing being offered?

I would appreciate advice from anyone who has challenged this approach or obtained an independent review.