If a father is asked to leave the home, it is important children’s services explain clearly why this is being asked. If they are recommending a child does not see their father, they should explain the reasons for this. If children’s services are saying the child’s time with their father is supervised, again they should explain why they are recommending this.
A father in this situation can contact children’s services and ask them to put into writing:
- What their concerns are
- How moving out with help to address the concerns
- When, and under what conditions, they say the father should be able to return home
- When and where he can see the child while living away
- How he will be involved in the child protection enquiries and assessment
- Details of any child protection conference, or review conference
- How he will be able to take part in the child protection conference, reviews, and core group meetings
- If they have advice or any help they can offer him with arranging somewhere else to stary
- What will happen if he does not agree to move out. Or if he returns home without this being agreed
- What will happen is he doesn’t agree to the plans for seeing his child (the ‘contact arrangements’).
It is a good idea to request this information in writing. This can be done even if these questions have already been asked in a meeting or during a telephone call with a social worker.
Asking for a response in writing is also important. It:
- Helps to make sure there is a clear record of what has been said
- Can make it easier for a father to think through his options
- Is useful to have when a father seeks legal advice.
It is a good idea to work with children’s services. This could mean moving out for period while child protection enquiries are made.