child protection rights

[stressed mum]

Hi, iv not been on here before but would like some advice. Ss got involved with my baby in September. This was because my partner had been accused of child abuse by his step child in a previous relationship. He went to court and found not guilty. Ss took it to family court and a finding of fact said he was guilty. There was no evidence at all and the step child was never questioned again as ss said this would complicate the case if she changed her story or got something wrong. His ex did not believe the allegations as her child lied often and she had seen nor heard anything even though she was at home at the time. During the case he was told to move out which he did but they did not follow ss instructions and even went on hol as a family. Not the step child. They both put there relationship before the children at the time so family court ruled she couldnt be trusted to safe guard the children from him should he visit them so he was not allowed to see his kids only write. This was over 3 years ago. We now have a baby together a assessment carried out was good and we have complied fully. He was put on child protection while I was given help with safe guarding and my partner help with his behaviour in the past. This never happened. I called and got no help in the end the health visitor chased up why they had not followed the conference plan. They got back to us 5 week later and said they would start after xmas. We had a meeting last week and the new sw as decided the plan is not good enough. They want a legal meeting and my partner to have a phycologist. assessment. Can anyone explain if this is normal of ss and why the previous social workers work can be found to be wrong. Can my partner be asked to leave. Any advice on what to do going forward would be much appreciated.
Thanks!!!

[blueplain]

It really annoys me after reading thread after thread where children services do not follow procedure properly and do not keep parents informed. I just feel like banging my head against the wall sometimes. I have no idea how these people get assessed and continue to be allowed to operate as they are.

Unfortunately even though he was found not guilty, children services are allowed their "own" investigation and as such they will take the courts finding with a pinch of salt. They have a tendency to "play it safe" due to media backlash. I would recommend putting in a complaint about not being kept informed correctly and also complain about the time frame which they are taking action within.

I would also recommend working with them and be very cooperative. I can not guarantee how successful you would be cooperating but its certainly better then fighting against them. Follow their requests by the letter and if you have any issues please use the complaint procedure and do not let them let the issue slide during the complaint. You need to be consistent with chasing up complaints if you want all your paperwork on time and correct and to be kept informed correctly within their own procedure. I wish you the best of luck. I know how frustrating they can be and confusing but keep your chin up and expect them to slip with procedure.

[stressed mum]

Thanks for your reply.

I have spoken to a solicitor about making a complaint and they have advised me not to. They said I have a very good complaint but I will probably only get an apology. They said making the complaint will get the sw back up and they may treat us worse because of it.

I dont want them to get away with it but im worried about what they will do.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Stressed Mum

My name is Suzie, one of the Family Rights Groups online advisers.

In view of the background circumstances about the allegations made by your partner’s ex step child, Children’s Services will want to carry out an assessment to see if there is any family support or action they may need to take to help you keep your baby safe.

The Local Authority have a statutory duty to assess your baby’s welfare even though your partner was found not guilty in the criminal court.

As part of the current child protection plan, the assessing social worker will want to take a number of issues into account:-

• the findings of the family proceedings court
• the age of the child at the time of the alleged offence
• the attitude of him and his ex partner, particularly if the mother did not believe her child
• the fact they were seen to priories their own relationship, over that of the child’s
physical and emotional needs
• whether you are able to listen to the concerns and open to offers of support

These are some of the factors that could have influence the action children’s services decide to take if any.

As blueplain states, you and your partner would be fully advised to continue to fully engage with professionals at this time.

It may be helpful to contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation on 0808 1000 900 for further advice, as they support families having to address all allegations or issues around child sexual abuse.

With regards the concerns you have about not being kept fully informed by Children’s Services, I suggest you take your solicitors advice to continue to engage with the child protection plan. If after this process has finished, you still feel you have been unfairly treated, I suggest you consider making a formal complaint after this time.

Best Wishes


Suzie

[stressed mum]

Hi everyone, Iv not posted on here for a while but I have been reading post most days. I just want to update you on my progress as we have had a good outcome and I think its good for people to see positive results so you know its not all doom and gloom. My partner was allowed home yesterday with no restrictions at all.

Its been 8 month of hell since this started and im afraid most of the bad comments about cs are true. We both had to have assessment, psychology reports and many surprise visits to check on us. My partner was made to move out and my parents to supervise. He was not allowed to the house at all even when our child was not there.

In November our sw did her assessment and decide my child was fine and we had a conference where this was agreed. She followed proceedure and kept to time frames so the arnt all bad. A month later we got a new sw who decided the old sw had assessed the risk wrong and thats when the nightmare begun. New assessment were needed but they took 6 month to do them. They made a lot of mistakes, dint stick to proceedures or dates at all, they didn't turn up to appointments, core groups and even ignored my calls and messages for a full month. The checks on me were done on the wrong person it was a complete joke but there isn't much you can do as the have your childs future in there hands.

A positive note is that you can fight back. I took a lot from blueplains post and got advice, found out there proceedures did general research to find out my rights. We both got solicitors. Mine was useless and gave up on us before the fight started. Its important to get the right solicitor from the start. Shop about for one that will fight for you. Mine made me feel like we had no chance. My partners on the other hand was very good and put them in there place. She kept on there solicitors back all the time and made them follow proceedure. I wish we had her from the start. I went on the council's safeguarding board. I shut them up more than once by quoting from there. They didn't even know about some of there proceedures. Call everyday and keep a log of who you speak to so you can prove it. Ask to speak to the duty sw if you get no response and if that doesn't work ask for manager. They do not want to speak to you so the sw calls you back. The most important thing is comply fully and work with them even if you know what they are doing is wrong. You can scream when they leave.

Sorry this turned out longer than I wanted but I just wanted you to know it doesn't always turn out bad and bot all social workers are bad. We had two and one was great and tried to help us. The other wasn't a bad person just very inexperienced and the younger ones tend to be puppets to there managers.

Thanks to blueplain. You may not have known but your post helped me more than you would think. Keep up the fight!!!!

[Anxious]

Hello how long did then cpp last for? My children are currently on cin plans but have only been on it for 3 months. Just wanted to know how longs yours lasted before they left you alone?

[stressed mum]

He's still on it until our follow up meeting next month. We went to public law meeting which is what they do before court proceedings. Our outcome came from that not the plan. The plan from our cpc was never followed because the new sw didn't agree with it. Been told they have to still have the follow up review meeting before they take his name off. Apparently once they have opened it they have to close it. Proceedure. By the time we have the meeting he will have been on it 9 month.

[Anxious]

Well its great to hear his name will be off it! must be a great relief to you. I hope they close our case asap too!

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Stressed mum

Well done for the positive outcome.

Always pleased to hear when forum users are able to exchange examples of positive outcomes having come through the worst of your experience of being involved with Children's Services.

These stories are important for their ability to give hope and strength to other parent's going through similar difficulties as well as advice about what actions helped you in your own particular circumstances.

Best Wishes

Suzie