Different needs

[DGJ]

So here I am very confused and concerned.
I have 1 child under sgo (9) and one baby (5 month old)that is becoming sgo in few weeks....
The 9year old has a level of 7 times a year but this has been cut down (5 times)because of the childs wishes and feelings. The contact which has been proposed for baby is recommended same as 9 year old ........No amount just says same amount..I have brought it up that the 9 years old contact are gradually reducing more and more due to the issues but they are still advising babys to be the same level ..Is this right ...
And for question 2 ..Father of baby has been proposed twice a year supervised contact but is asking for a contact order..
I find this strange as the father has finding a fact against him and the only reason they have given him this is for identity reasons coundnt this be done through indirect contact..
There is also a prohibed steps order against him for the 9 year old.....Im waiting on what the guardian says but just wondered what everyone else thinks about this...

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear DGJ,

Welcome back to the friends and family discussion board and thank you for posting!

If you have not seen it yet, have a look at our advice sheet Special guardianship orders .

Pages 6 to 8 deal with the court application and how the court decides whether or not a contact order should be made.
Best wishes,

Suzie

[Concerned2013]

Universal Convention on Rights of the Child

Article 9
1. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision must be made as to the child’s place of residence.

2. In any proceedings pursuant to paragraph 1 of the present article, all interested parties shall be given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and make their views known.

3. States Parties shall respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child’s best interests.

It is up to applicant (Children Services, yourself ) to provide factual evidence to the Judge that the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm and it would be in the child's best interest to interfere in Article 9 and interdependent rights of the child.

[DGJ]

Thank you for the replies, Lets clear this up a bit...

The children have same mother but different fathers...The father has only been offered twice a year because of findings against him in court and he deemed a serious risk to children(this only being for baby).....Mother is getting 5 times with 9 year old at the moment but if things don't improve this will drop more....Mother has been offered "Same as 9 year old" with the baby which i have questioned due to the baby not having any wishes or feelings yet and there being different needs .This bit of info basically tells me to drop baby's contact if the 9 year olds drop down more and this what the sw says they expect so they are not treated differently...


The father is asking for a contact order because he wants more contact ..But i have prohibed steps order against him for the 9 year old as she has been abused by him...I know what a contact order means but it woundn't really be a good thing based on the 9 year old or the serious risk or findings against him..

I just wondered though why has the father been offered 2 times a year supervised instead of indirect surely with the risks involved this would be better for the baby when older...

[Concerned2013]

it is YOUR right as the child's guardian to vary the level - including increase the level if things are going well. It is YOUR right and DUTY to protect the child if it isn't. concerned2013 quotes the legal wording below BEFORE the court have ruled on placing a child elsewhere the laws and regulations then change to protect the child within a placement so no longer apply. Why has the birth father been offered so little contact? what of the birth mother?

You are legally bound by a court ruling and so are other parties. If carer or another party requires change to that ruling then they must seek permission from the court.

Interference in rights can only be done via judicial review as explained here

except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures

Government representatives like Children Services would not need Family courts if this were not the case.


Here is a summary of Rights of the Child which came into force in 1990

http://www.unicef.org.uk/Documents/Publ ... ummary.pdf

[DGJ]

The Guardian's view has now been received and the guardian is contesting the La plans for direct contact twice a year she wants a contact order for indirect contact twice a year and has asked the La to change there final care plan..

[DGJ]

Hi all,
Update is that SGO is granted ...Also dad been given an indirect recommendation of twice a year and birth mum 5 times direct contact.
thanks for all the advice

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear DGJ

Just to echo ied53's post. It is great news that you have successfully reached the end of the process.

Hope all will go well for you and the children from now on.

Best wishes

Suzie