Child on CPP

[Pip0102]

Hi,

I'm just after some information on where we stand as a family.

My daughter is 9 months old and has been on a CPP since August this year. My partner (daughters father) has had some long term issues regards his mental health so has previously turned to drugs & alcohol to take away his problems. This has caused him more problems by getting into trouble with the police numerous times. Last time was the final straw for the CS as it was quite a severe incident.

my partner and I love each other very much and our daughter is our entire world but at times my partner struggles to deal with his emotions. This has been addressed & he has counselling & medication to help him.

At the last conference, we were told that my daughter & I have to reside separately to my partner. This meant that we had to move out as my partner literally has no where else to go. His family live 25 miles away & my family wouldn't want him living with them, plus this is something he wouldn't and couldn't deal with. He had also landed himself a well paid full time job, 10 minutes away from our house.

CS said they will support us as a family. We haven't yet had an over night stay & thisnisnt aloud until the earliest November at the next review conference.

we have followed CS requests by the book, we have engaged well with them & provided all information needed.

I don't see how we can move forward as a family if at this review they we can't have over night stays. My SW will put in the request for a managed move but I feel his manager is totally against Us and I feel is very judgemental. I have gone through the DA gateway programme and worked with the IDVA when I felt I didn't need to. I am fully aware of the triggers and signs when my partner is or will slip and like always, I take myself and my daughter out of the situation so neither of us are in any harm.

We have a core meeting tomorrow PM, I understand that CS have a duty of care for my daughter. I have a very supportive family from both sets of grandparents.

Are there any questions I should put forward to get my point across about the fact that I am more than confident that I will be keeping my daughter safe IF there are any triggers and about us moving back?

My daughter still has a great bond with her father but it is no where near what it used to be like. In my opinion now, the only person who is suffering from this is my daughter. I understand my partner has done things to raise a concern for CS but he has been clean since the very beginning of August which is a long time for someone who used to use every other weekend.

I want to make sure I have the Information needed as I do t want my SW's manager to try and put us down as a family any more.

Any response would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Pip0102

Welcome to the Family Rights Group Parents’ Discussion Forum.

My name is Suzie and I am one of the Advisers at Family Rights Group.

I am sorry that you are having a difficult and worrying time as a result of Children Services involvement with your family due to their concerns about your baby’s welfare.

It appears from your post that the concerns Children Services have regarding your daughter stems from the problems your partner has and how this affects the family as a whole. As your daughter has been on a Child Protection Plan since August, this will be the first review conference and the core group is really to assess how things have gone so far in relation to the Child Protection Plan. If you and your partner have adhered to the plan and worked with Children Services and any other agencies as required then this will all be very positive for you and your family.

The important thing is that you (and your partner) engage and cooperate fully.

You say you want to go to overnight stays but this will depend on how things have gone so far, and whether it is considered safe for you and your baby to live with your partner. I do understand your frustration as you feel you have both done everything you can. However, what you must try to understand is that Children Services' concern is for your daughter’s welfare and to ensure that she is safeguarded and living in a safe environment.

At the moment, the suggestion from the social worker is that in consultation with her Manager the possibility of a planned move can be discussed. I know that it has been a long time for the family to be separated but the fact that a planned move is even being considered at this stage suggests that you have both been doing the right thing as far as Children Services is concerned. I suggest that you try to be a little more patient with the process. It is very important that you are no seen to be putting your needs before that of your daughter or for it to be thought that you will not be a protective factor for her because of your failure to recognise that her safety takes precedence.

I suggest that at the core group meeting you concentrate more on the positive things that you and your partner has accomplished since the Child Protection Plan was put in place. Whilst I understand that you want your family to be together, your being with your partner is not the priority, your daughter is and making sure that it is known that your priority is protect and keep her safe. Obviously, I understand that this is the case, but if you concentrate on getting back with your partner it might send the wrong message.

Children Services has to be satisfied that your partner will maintain and build on what he has achieved. Having not used since August is not necessarily going to mean that they think this is a long enough period for someone who had a significant habit. He is doing well but it has not been very long and you should realise that sometimes people can stay clean for short periods of time but then relapse very quickly.

I have included a copy of our advice sheet relating to child protection procedures for your information and hope you will find this helpful. You can read from page 21 about Review Conferences.

Should you wish to speak to an Adviser then, please feel free to telephone our 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 this helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie