Advice greatly appreciated

[Allybally812]

Over nearly 14 years ago, my step dad was convicted of having indecent images of children on his computer, he was sentenced for 6 months and which amounted up to a sentencing of 30 weeks exactly and is in the offenders register. He pleaded guilty to the images being on his computer but not purposefully downloading them as it was in a shared document with regular pornography.
During this time I had an awful experience with the social services trying to make me say I was abused when I was not, never was.

Now I have my own baby and the social are back in my life making it hell. They have now said I am in denial and at first wanting me to sign a written agreement stating that I will not leave my child in the care of my step dad which I agreed to.
Now they have come back and said that my child is not to be allowed in my mothers home with herself and my step dad incase my "mother goes to the loo and something happens"
I find this outrageous. The specialists classes my step dad as "low risk" and because I disagree to their new terms they are threatening more action.
It's as if they are now making out my mother not to be trusted because she stood by him all of these years.
I haven't been able to enjoy the first few months with my baby and it's really getting me down.
Some advice would be appreciated.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear allybally812

Welcome to the parents forum.

I am sorry to hear about children services involvement with your family.
You don’t say whether there is a child protection plan or just children services wanting you to sign a written agreement.

Have you seen a copy of the assessment of your family? This might cast light on how they might have come to this decision.

To avoid matters escalating, you could agree to the term about your mother for a few weeks until they have shown you why they might be worried.
Would your mum agree to take your baby into the bathroom with her, for example? Or is she assessed as minimizing your step dads risk.
The other thing to consider is the fact that, those who are convicted of viewing online child abuse images have a low risk of moving onto contact offences. But it really depends on the facts of your step dad’s conviction. Were they extreme images of babies being sexually abused, for example?
Ask to see the risk assessment of your step- dad. Does he need a fresh assessment?

You should certainly call the Lucy Faithfull Foundation for advice about your step dad’s risk, and how you can protect your baby.

Also you could have a meeting with children services and get them to set out all the options. You might be able to agree the written agreement for a few weeks while they re-assess. Or you could challenge their assessment by way of formal complaint, if you think they are being unreasonable-having spoken to the Lucy Faithfull foundation.
While you challenge you should agree to be as protective as possible of your baby for the interim so that matters don’t escalate to child protection.
I hope this helps. But please post back if you need further advice or call our advice line for advice.

Best wishes,

Suzie