child protection conference

[sam.n]

My socail worker has called a child protection conference in 6days time.
The letter states this is called on the enquiries they have made. 
They asked my partner to leave our property by the mid of February. As he is a registered sex offender.
His crime was internet grooming of one teen and pictures of young girls over 2years ago. He has never touched a child.
I no this doesnt what he has done it very very wrong. But part of the reasons why I stayed with him is he makes my son happy and the socail agreed this is the case.

He is leaving this weekend and we are ending our relationship. The socail worker asked for all family information to invite them to a family core meeting. And said that my son will have an assessment done.
They haven't waited till my partner has left. They haven't contacted any family members nore have they called a family core meeting. And they still haven't done an assessment on my son.

The socail closed on my son in September as they said my partner was a positive person for my son and had no problems with him.
But now I am pregnant with a girl they are bringing up things they closed on.
My socail worker has taken everything that is said out of context and twisted it around. Im banging my head against a wall. As the only answer I get from them is its because im having a girl.
We have done everything they have asked. (Which none of it has been sent in writing)
We signed a family agreement that my partner wouldn't spend an long amount of time alone with my son. We have never recived a copy.
And we have his other son stay with us every other weekend but there are no guidelines for him. (Even though he is 8y) Just my children.

It states on the letter the conference is called on their enquiries done but they haven't done any.
So can they call this meeting on no enquiries? Can they call a conference when they informed me they would do a family meeting and assessment first. Not child protection first as the time they have alotted isnt up yet?

Can someone please please help in making sense of this.
Im Very worried they will take my son and my unborn girl even tho the socail said they wouldn't and their dad will no longer be at the home.
If necessary me and their dad have agreed for him to never see his children again. This will break my sons heart.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Sam n,
Welcome to the parent board.

I Am sorry to hear about your families situation. I agree with you, that it seems very confusing. It must be difficult for you as well, given that you have not been given a copy of the agreement that you signed and that you have not received a copy of the assessment. Ask your social worker for these or you could contact the team manager.

You social worker has mentioned, I think, 3 different processes.

1)Family Group Meeting/Conferences (you call it family core meeting)

This is a meeting of family and friends (you as Mum will be able to say who should be involved). The purpose of the meeting is to let the friends and family know about the risks to your children and see whether anyone can help-such as agreeing to be a person who supervises contact, help you after your daughter is born. Often, the family will also be asked whether anyone could become a carer for any of the children-in case a child was put at risk of suffering harm. (for example, if you let your partner move back in or have unsupervised contact with your son).

The good thing about this type of meeting is that the family themselves come up with a plan (called a family plan). Parents often prefer this-because professionals, such as social workers, are only involved in explaining the risks and then they just make sure the plan is safe enough. The family do everything else themselves. Usually, a coordinator who is independent from children services will arrange the meeting (often at the weekend to fit in with the family members). This type of meeting is not compulsory-it will only take place if you agree. Look at our
FGC advice sheet and film.
 
2)Assessment

Social workers use the same assessment process whether they are looking to provide you with family support or are worried that your children might be harmed. Have a look at A toZ Assessment
 
There has already been an assessment to look at the risk of your partner to your son. I understand that this was positive and the case closed. Now you are pregnant with a girl-they are doing a pre birth assessment. Things are different, I think, because your partner is a risk to girl children. They would be asking questions such as would you as Mum be able to protect-your baby girl i.e. supervise dad 24hours a day? Throughout her childhood?
Could dad get treatment for his sexually abusive behaviour and so reduce his risk to children?
You could speak to Lucy Faithfull Foundation. They offer advice and support to families (including perpetrators) where children are at risk of sexual abuse.

3Child Protection Conference

Please look at our child protection film and advice sheet. 
A conference is held when children services have “reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm”. In your case, they must be worried about your partner posing a danger to your children-due to his criminal conviction.

You are worried that there have been no enquiries. However, some enquiries must have happened. The enquiries include speaking to you and your partner, they would have contacted the public protection professionals and the police. It is also usual that they would contact your midwife, health visitor, your GP.
These enquiries will be set out in the social report for the conference. Ask the social worker to take you through it at least a few days before-so that you can check it is correct.

At the conference, you can bring someone to support you, such as a solicitor or advocate. In the conference,the professionals (social worker, police, health visitor) will be sharing information about your family but you will also have the opportunity to speak.
At the end of the meeting a decision will be made as to whether your son and unborn baby should be made subject to a child protection plan or a child in need plan or no plan.
For there to be a child protection plan-there needs to be evidence of your children suffering harm or being at risk of harm and that harm or risk of harm is still ongoing. The fact that you and your partner have cooperated will help you. Your partner is moving out will also help.
A child protection conference cannot decide that your children should be removed from you. This can only happen if you agreed to it or that the court ordered it. (In urgent cases when children are in immediate danger -police can remove children from parents for up to 72 hours only.) See page 4 of the advice sheet about child protection.
You should raise all your questions and worries with the social worker. You could also post back here as well.

Best wishes,

Suzie

[teddy_1]

hi ya, I know you feel alone right now but you are not. I have been through similar for a year. They cannot stop contact they can only ensure it is safe. I agreed to everything and still got taken to protection. I am still fighting to get off of plan. I have put a complaint into the county council which has now gone to ombudsman to be investigated. All I can suggest to do is keep a record of everytime u have contact with social and what has been said because believe me it comes in handy. Have a look at your countys safeguarding board and their child protection guidelines that is also helpful. I have fought all the way to now be told that contact is allowed it just has to be supervised and they are now making out that they have always said this. I hope this helps in some way.