Help please....

[PRINCESSX87]

Help needed please.

(I am posting this on behalf of my brother & SIL who doesn‘t have access to the net)

Brother & Sil are a you couple who 7 months ago, welcomed their first baby into the world.
During this time, They also got given a council property.

Their neighbour who moved in the same time, Asked them to do a exchange once they had spent time decorating the property into their family home. They declined and believed everything was fine.

Roll on 4 months later (Oct last year) The neighbour had caused a huge row between brother & SIL with very spiteful reports that was untrue. Having spent 4 months of continues lies being thrown at them - One night they had a major disagreement and got violent towards one another. Resulting in, My brother holding a butter knife in the air (He was washing up at the time of the argument) to which this neighbour see. The neighbour then called the police making up lies and brother was arrested. SIL wanted no further action to be taken or pressing charges because they was both aggressive.

Baby wasn’t there during this.

Since then, the neighbour has been calling the police and social services at every opportunity even making up lies.

Roll on last week, SIL got a call to say that a child services advisor wanted to come and meet with her, Because they had reports that sil wasn’t coping and suffering DV.

All this isn’t true and brother & sil have been happily together since the above incidence. However, Now, It seems that social services are making up lies and will try anything to intimidate sil.

SW called Our mum today and asked loads of questions, Including one about their puppy dog, Which is 6 weeks younger then baby. She also went on to tell my mum about SIL & brothers appointment she has booked without their constant, At their house with their HV.

Both Brother & SIL are worried now, Because they still don’t know why SS are involved. No correct paperwork has been done, No official visits. Nothing

Please, Any advice or information we should check before their appointment would be great.

[blueplain]

Hello and welcome

Sorry to hear about the altercations your brother is having with his neighbour. Having a dispute with a neighbour can be very difficult as you are unable to get away from the situation.

Firstly I think it would be conducive of alleviating issues and concerns if your brother found another property.

Going to court over harassment can make the situation more strained between the neighbours. I appreciate that it is difficult to move to another property but I can not see the situation resolving if he was to remain. Also if children services leave satisfied at the end of this occasion. Does not mean the cycle would not begin again through further reports by the neighbour. I do suggest that he sees a solicitor however about his rights regarding an abusive neighbour.

Secondly when the social worker visits your brother make sure he does not raise his voice. Giving the reports any sign of a bad temper would indicate that the neighbour may be correct. Even though an investigation would get anyone annoyed. Your brothers behaviour would be closely observed so make sure he comes across polite and calm. Secondly ask your brother to cooperate fully and act upon the social workers advice. Also he should interact with his child in the presence of the social worker instead of concentrating on being a good host for the social worker.

I hope my advice has been helpful and wish you brother good luck from me.

[PRINCESSX87]

Thank you for the reply.

Reading back, I understand that I may have confused or left out some information, This is because I was in a rush to get some sound advice.

It seems, Up until now, My brother was never mentioned in any reports other than the issue about the knife, Which he was led to believe from the police station, It wouldn’t have gone any further because no actual assault had took place.

Further more, When SS got in contact for the first time, They suggested that it had been my SIL who had contact them, It was only until about an hour ago, It seems to have come from the neighbour, Who is a volunteer for a local DV centre & her boss.

This neighbour also is a heavy “weed” smoker who “seems” to have extreme paranoid come downs. In the summer brother, sil & baby couldn’t sleep at their home, because she was smoking with her friends which stunk out their home.

So far, I cannot see a way out of this. Because:-

*They do not know why SS have been called in.
*They cannot move, No access to funds what so ever.
*Brother & SIL is trying their hardest to explain that there is no DV, Yet their not believed.

They have a appointment on Monday with a SW. SIL was told that their HV is coming with her to assess conditions & wellbeing, However, Reading online, It seems that the HV really has no rights to enter the property without invitation, Yet, She’s told SIL, that I, nor other family members can be there for support??

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear princessx87

Welcome to the parent's discussion board.

The health visitor can visit the family with the social worker as part of a multi agency child protection investigation. Apart from that she would need their consent to enter their property.

I would get your brother to ask Children's Services to explain in writing the purpose of their visit and reasons for refusing the support of a family member or advoacte at it.

If your brother wishes to seek more information he can call our advice line on 0808 801 0366 Monday to Friday 09.30 am to 03.00 pm.

I hope that helps.

Best Wishes

Suzie