i would like social workers notes

[rob007]

hi I had a section 7 report and I am in the middle of trying for contact . my ex complained about the first worker and she was very positive and the report was finished by the second worker. I would like to be able to see the notes of the workers for the case as they have recommended against direct contact on the basis that my son gets upset. there are no safeguarding issues and my son told the first sw that he did want contact he was 4 at the time and that was refused by his mum. We then went to court for n order and then he said he didn't like daddy and refused to speak to the social worker number two. none of them have ever asked my son away from mum . she has previously been very hostile and this is recorded. he sec 7 report doesn't mention any hostility like it never happened and I want to show the court that she is the problem. we were reffered for mediation at the last hearing yesterday 16 june and that is 23 months since I left home. we are adjourned until October for directions. The judge said that he had never gone against a sec 7 report in all his time as a judge and would have ordered no contact if the hearing had gone ahead. Is there any recourse for his decision nad the temp order is for indirect contact 2 letters per month and he criticised the length of my letters...who is he to tell me what my son understands and wants hes never even met him.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi rob007,

I am sorry to hear about your difficulties having contact with your son. I hope that these can be resolved.
The Data Protection Act governs access to your child’s personal records.
You can make request for the contact notes by emailing or writing to the person in the local authority who deals with requests for copies of files. Be aware of the timescales that need to be followed. This can be a Data protection officer or sometimes the legal department or children services directly.

Our advice sheet Access to Records sets out the process.

I can see that you are outraged at the judges’ comments about the length of the letters that you are sending to your son. However, do not ignore these comments. Instead think about them carefully. May be ask friends or family or the social worker about your letters-could they be too long? A parent being able to take professional advice is nearly always seen as a positive thing. It shows that they can change their thinking if this is considered to be in the best interests of their children.

Although the judge has not met your son, he is relying on the social workers report as the professional “eyes and ears” to advise the court. Although he says that he has never gone against a section 7 report yet –this is different than saying he never will. So he can still exercise his judicial discretion. He has given you the next few months to listen to what is being said in the section 7 report. Has mediation started yet? What else could you do?
Unfortunately, I am not in a position to answer private law questions about contact as it is beyond my remit. Instead, I suggest that you contact the Coram Children’s Legal Centre.

Best wishes,
Suzie