Be aware that the local authority complaints procedure is not legal process - and you are under no legal obligation to comply with it. If you do go through it and do not get satisfaction you may, by the time it is completed, have lost the opportunity to challenge what they have done, the decisions t...

See my posts in getting your voice heard for some advice on how to be with CS. Here's more: Stay cool as you can, record everything, get an advocate. Till then, get someone to support, if possible: a calm witness. Prepare. Breathe. Avoid caffeine, and other stimulants. Sleep well. Make notes. Clarif...

The lies that you can't call lies can be called tendentious, misleading misinterpretations... or better yet, factual errors. If they are demonstrable, e.g. there are evidenced discrepancies between a spoken and written record then you can challenge the data via the DPA and the ICO. This is why it is...

If there is any demonstrably inaccurate data held in your records, challenge the local authority to correct it, and if they don't, or even hesitate, then take it up with the ICO ( information commissioners office). The LA is legally bound under the DPA to at least place a notice of correction on ina...

1. The social worker concludes that all appears well and that intervention is not necessary. He/she will inform you that you will receive a letter stating that no action was needed to be taken. You neglect to say that whatever happens, your family will now have a record - quite possibly inaccurate -...

Can't you just change the name of the hospital? St. Cecilia's - patron saint of music, or St. Lawrence - patron saints of knives...?

The sections below are from 'Getting the Best from Complaints': 1.1.3 This guidance is for representations, including complaints, made by children and young people. It also applies to parents, foster carers and other adults making a complaint. Throughout the guidance the term children and young peop...

If a call handler receives a child protection request for advice without giving names - but decides that contact should be transformed into a referral, should he/she ensure that the referral is completed by a social worker (in line with 'Working together' 5.32 - 'the referrer should have the opportu...