Can somebody please help. Our child is subject to Safeguarding and I have not had any contact with her since last November, she resides with my wife at our marital address while I rent another property. My wife and I have raised many questions during the core meeting but when we receive the minutes, our concoerns are not documented. The question I would like answered is, is it legal for the same person chairing the meeting to take the minutes as well.
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update: We have attended the Core Group Meeting today and the lead Childrens Service person chaired and took the minutes. She started the meeting yet again by saying, the computer printer had broken down therefore could not supply us with minutes from the last meeting... "you must of had them through the post!" We have not! On top of this my probation officer failed to turn up at the meeting. Two weeks ago I applied for Data Access for information about what they hold on my wife, myself and daughter, I had to provide proof of fathership and own identity, plus a cost of £10...I understand it will be another couple of weeks before I will receive the information. During the meeting today I asked about caffcass.org.uk, the lead chair informed me It was my legal right to contact them but if I did, they will seek legal advice. This has left my wife and I with horrible feeling in our hearts and minds.... Things are going to go really bad!!! Need help fast... have tried legal aid but as you all know... its designed to fail us in our times of need, can only get it if they threaten to take our daughter off us... crazy, Cart before the Horse!
Core meeting structure
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Suzie, FRG Adviser
- Posts: 4996
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:57 pm
Re: Core meeting structure
Dear midge
Welcome to FRG’s Parents’ Forum
I am sorry that you are feeling frustrated by Children Services involvement with your family.
From your post it appears that your child is subject to a Child Protection Plan following a Child Protection conference. It is not clear from your post why Children Services became involved or why you are no longer at the martial home.
If you are not having contact with your child, then Children Services should have explained to you why it is not considered appropriate at this time and when contact is likely to resume. I would advise you to put your request for contact in writing, explaining why you think it is important for your child to have contact with you. Ask the social worker and/or team manager to respond in writing to you with an explanation. Do keep a copy of your letter.
Regarding the core group meeting, it is not wrong for the person (usually the social worker) who chairs the core group to make a note of what is said at the meeting. You should receive a copy of any revised plan and if you disagree what is recorded you should put your concerns in writing and ask for the issues you wish to be dealt with.
I have included here a copy of our advice sheet on child protection procedures.
As you have posted an update I will respond to this as well now. I am sending you a link here to our advice sheet about obtaining records from Children Services.
It is does not seem right that you should be threatened with a legal planning meeting simply for wishing to contact Cafcass. Cafcass is the organisation that provides representation for children in the family court process, so that their voices can be heard. If you wish to seek advice from any organisation you should not be prevented from doing so by Children Services .
If the minutes of the last meeting were not available to anyone at the meeting it could have been decided that the meeting to be rescheduled. However, it is difficult to get all professionals available at the same time to attend a meeting which may be why the meeting went ahead. It is important the minutes are received prior to a meeting to ensure that if there are any inaccuracies these can be dealt with prior to the meeting. Regarding your probation officer, Was the probation officer aware of the meeting bearing in mind the minutes were not sent out? if he or she did not attend you should take this up directly with him or her..
I would advise you to engage and cooperate with Children Services and any plan put in place. This way it cannot be said that you are failing to cooperate or putting a child at risk.
Should you wish to speak to an adviser please do telephone our free advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
I hope you will find the information helpful.
Best wishes
Suzie
Welcome to FRG’s Parents’ Forum
I am sorry that you are feeling frustrated by Children Services involvement with your family.
From your post it appears that your child is subject to a Child Protection Plan following a Child Protection conference. It is not clear from your post why Children Services became involved or why you are no longer at the martial home.
If you are not having contact with your child, then Children Services should have explained to you why it is not considered appropriate at this time and when contact is likely to resume. I would advise you to put your request for contact in writing, explaining why you think it is important for your child to have contact with you. Ask the social worker and/or team manager to respond in writing to you with an explanation. Do keep a copy of your letter.
Regarding the core group meeting, it is not wrong for the person (usually the social worker) who chairs the core group to make a note of what is said at the meeting. You should receive a copy of any revised plan and if you disagree what is recorded you should put your concerns in writing and ask for the issues you wish to be dealt with.
I have included here a copy of our advice sheet on child protection procedures.
As you have posted an update I will respond to this as well now. I am sending you a link here to our advice sheet about obtaining records from Children Services.
It is does not seem right that you should be threatened with a legal planning meeting simply for wishing to contact Cafcass. Cafcass is the organisation that provides representation for children in the family court process, so that their voices can be heard. If you wish to seek advice from any organisation you should not be prevented from doing so by Children Services .
If the minutes of the last meeting were not available to anyone at the meeting it could have been decided that the meeting to be rescheduled. However, it is difficult to get all professionals available at the same time to attend a meeting which may be why the meeting went ahead. It is important the minutes are received prior to a meeting to ensure that if there are any inaccuracies these can be dealt with prior to the meeting. Regarding your probation officer, Was the probation officer aware of the meeting bearing in mind the minutes were not sent out? if he or she did not attend you should take this up directly with him or her..
I would advise you to engage and cooperate with Children Services and any plan put in place. This way it cannot be said that you are failing to cooperate or putting a child at risk.
Should you wish to speak to an adviser please do telephone our free advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
I hope you will find the information helpful.
Best wishes
Suzie
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