police caution

[alltberis]

I am a full time working single mum. I am the main (practically solo) carer for my two children,a 6 year old boy, and a 4 year old girl with autism.

Begining of Dec 15 My ex-husband reported me anonymously to social service that I left my sick boy two days alone at home. Actually it was only 2 hours because I had to take my little girl for the very first speech therapist appointment in the hospital. I gave my boy capol and got him sleep with food and water by him. he wasn't hurt or harm during my absence. The police convicted me for neglecting my child and gave me caution for this.
The police gave me caution for neglecting child according to section47.

I am a dedicated mother to my children. my house is clean and warm for children. and my children are all good in school.

I don't think it's fair on me. Could you advise me how to appeal for this.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear alltberis

Welcome to the Parents’ Discussion Forum.

My name is Suzie, Family Rights Group’s online Adviser.

I am sorry that you feel you have been unfairly treated having been given a caution by the police for neglect your child.

You say in your post that an anonymous referral was made to Children Services (new name for social services), about you leaving your son but you do not say whether they decided to pursue the matter further from a safeguarding point of view. If Children Services were to become involved with you and your children, I think it is important that you acknowledge that it was not appropriate to leave a 6 year old on his own. I understand that you may have thought he would be fine but Children Services might well take the view that you son would have been left scared and worried about being on his own. This could be classed as neglect or emotional abuse by children services.

I am sure that you are a dedicated mother to your children and provide them with a comfortable home. However, it is important that as I stated above, you acknowledge that your action was inappropriate for a child of your son’s age and that on reflection you know that you would not do this again.

A copy of our advice sheet about what happen when Children Services become involved is included here or your information.

Regarding your question about appealing, unfortunately, I am not able to advise you about the conviction/caution as this does not fall with the remit of our service. You will need to obtain advice from a solicitor who specialises in criminal law. You can find at solicitor local to you by visiting the Law Society’s website and looking at find a solicitor.

If you wish to speak to an Adviser about Children Services, please do call our free and confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

I hope this is of help to you.

Best wishes

Suzie

[alltberis]

I was just been told that police interviewed my 6 year old boy without social service present. 2 police officer, one man and one woman did the interview.

I don't think it is approriate. who can give me some guidance please.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear alltberis

Thank you for you post.

It is not clear from your post the nature of the interview that took place. The police can carry out an ABE (Achieving Best Evidence) interview and there is guidance for this. Were you aware that the interview would take place? As you are being investigated then you may be told but not present.

Is it the case that the social worker took your son to the interview but was not present in the actual interview? If it was an ABE interview then it may be that in line with the guidance you son would have been prepared by getting to know and having the interview explained beforehand so may have been familiar with the officers.

Any interview with a child would have to be carried out in an age appropriate way, taking account of the child’s age, personality and understanding.

As you may be aware there are also police officers who work specifically in child protection and the interview may have been carried out by child protection officers. I suggest that you raise the issue with the police as to why there was an interview with your son so you can get full explanation of the nature of the interview.

Please our read advice sheet about child protection procedures at page 13 regarding police involvement in child protection.

You may if you wish, telephone our advice line to speak to an adviser. The advice line is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

I hope this helps

Best wishes,

Suzie