Social services involvement
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 9:24 pm
Hi, I'm hoping for some advice (please don't judge)
Social services have become involved with mine, my sons and partners life since November 2015.
My partner has a history of violence and has previously been in prison. Everything he has been in prison for has been drink fuelled and has since been on a course to help with his drinking and anger and has stopped drinking.
During the time we have been together he was on licence and should he get into any kind of trouble he will go back to prison and finish his licence. During a heated argument there was some pushing and shoving (my son was upstairs in bed asleep at the time)and because I was mad at him I made the silly decision to phone the police, over exaggerating the story, and got him sent back to prison. I later explained to the police that I was wrong in what I said.
Because of this "domestic violence" case, social services have decided that my son should be put on a child protection plan as he is "at risk of emotional harm". I understand to a certain extent their concern but after explaining the situation and the steps we have taken to improve our relationship I do not believe this is fair. They have said my partner is not allowed around my son and no direct or indirect contact or else they will take steps to taking it to court for my child to go and live with his father.
My partner has agreed to any kind of risk assessment, course, anything to prove he is not a risk to my son but social services do not seem to be interested in helping us to be a family and have told me I have to make a choice - my son or my partner - which I do not feel willing to do as I know my partner is no risk to my son whatsoever.
I am struggling with how to prove this to social as they seem to be picking fault with everything and even when we are doing as they say they find a problem with it. For example my partner explained that "she is my girlfriend, i love her to bits" - my social worker went on to say that he used the term "my" which suggests I am a possession. Ridiculous I know!
I need to know what my rights are - can they refuse to help us be a family and make me choose between them? What can I do to make this horrible mess right again?! I feel like my family is being torn to pieces
edited by Suzie
Social services have become involved with mine, my sons and partners life since November 2015.
My partner has a history of violence and has previously been in prison. Everything he has been in prison for has been drink fuelled and has since been on a course to help with his drinking and anger and has stopped drinking.
During the time we have been together he was on licence and should he get into any kind of trouble he will go back to prison and finish his licence. During a heated argument there was some pushing and shoving (my son was upstairs in bed asleep at the time)and because I was mad at him I made the silly decision to phone the police, over exaggerating the story, and got him sent back to prison. I later explained to the police that I was wrong in what I said.
Because of this "domestic violence" case, social services have decided that my son should be put on a child protection plan as he is "at risk of emotional harm". I understand to a certain extent their concern but after explaining the situation and the steps we have taken to improve our relationship I do not believe this is fair. They have said my partner is not allowed around my son and no direct or indirect contact or else they will take steps to taking it to court for my child to go and live with his father.
My partner has agreed to any kind of risk assessment, course, anything to prove he is not a risk to my son but social services do not seem to be interested in helping us to be a family and have told me I have to make a choice - my son or my partner - which I do not feel willing to do as I know my partner is no risk to my son whatsoever.
I am struggling with how to prove this to social as they seem to be picking fault with everything and even when we are doing as they say they find a problem with it. For example my partner explained that "she is my girlfriend, i love her to bits" - my social worker went on to say that he used the term "my" which suggests I am a possession. Ridiculous I know!
I need to know what my rights are - can they refuse to help us be a family and make me choose between them? What can I do to make this horrible mess right again?! I feel like my family is being torn to pieces
edited by Suzie