my children

[mummyof2]

Do social services inform you when your pregnant if they plan to issue care proceedings for the baby?

[mimzy1991]

Nope I was looking this up last night, they cant apply for care proceedings until its born but if they think informing you will cause a risk they dont have too. Its what I'
m worried about.

[mummyof2]

Do you mind if I ask why there involved with you hun? My other posts have a lot of detail about my situation. Have you had a cpc yet?

[mimzy1991]

Yeahh my mams partner was done for grooming a child, he lives near us and used to visit the home. I have cut contact and he doesnt come over anymore but the sw has pretty much made me out to be a liar. Also my Mam and partner said he was no risk to the baby cuz he wouldnt be around the baby but they have took that as them minimising the risk. I also have bipolar so im staying at home til Im stable but they see that as me being dependant on my Mam so just feel like you cant say anything right! Im terrified of having the baby now in case they turn up and remove it, its disgusting that it is legal when you havent done anything wrong
. First cpc on Thursday, trying to find info on if we can write down our views and if they get taken into consideration or if its just pretty much what the proffesionals have discovered.

[mimzy1991]

Just been looking at your other posts, honest dont beleive what they say about deadlines. They have been involved with me for 12 weeks and only in the last week have we got anywhere. Im past the stage of a pre birth conference through them, I spent two weeks trying to chase my SW. I dont think you have anything to worry about, you have worked with them from the start and you havent had contact with the man. Its still quite daunting, is yours going to child protection?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi Mummyof2

As the other posters have mentioned:

1. Children’s Services can only apply for an Order for a child once it has been born.
2. There are times when CS can apply to remove a child from your care without first informing you.

However, this would only happen in an emergency that is Children’s Services think the child is in immediate danger and they have to do something straightaway to protect them.

This should not be necessary when you’re pregnant as Children’s Services generally have plenty time to get involved and work with you. If through their assessments while you are pregnant, Children’s Services feel like it will be necessary to apply for a Care Order they will send you a letter before proceedings. This is a letter that tells you what the concerns are and what you can do to improve the situation and try to avoid going to court. You’ll be invited to a meeting to discuss this. You can take a solicitor to this meeting and if you receive a letter before proceedings should take immediate advice from a solicitor specialising in childcare. There is more information about this in our care proceedings advice sheet.

From what I can see in your other posts, you are open and honest with the Social Worker and continuing to work with them. This is the best way of trying to reach an outcome you are happy with.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes

Suzie

[mummyof2]

Hi suzie, what I mean is if they decide to remove my baby at birth will they inform me while I'm pregnant? Or just turn up out of the blue at the hospital? And can they take him on a ppo? Also would they still hold a cpc regardless of whether they decide to take him or not? And with regards to the daughter I have at home, what stages would they have to go through before they can apply to the courts to remove her? If she isn't in any danger would they put her on a cpp before taking court proceedings?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi mummyof2

In your circumstances, if Children’s Services planned to remove your baby a birth, you would be aware of this or at least the significant possibility of it happening.

It is likely that a child protection conference would take place and a child protection plan would be made setting out this intention. It is also likely that a meeting before proceedings would take place, as outlined above.

Care proceedings are only issued if a child is felt to be at ongoing risk of significant harm. If Children’s Services felt this was the case with regards your daughter, they would have acted already to protect her. Clearly they have not done this.

Try to be reassured that nothing has been said that gives any indication that Children’s Services have this level of concern about you or your children or that they have any intention of seeking to remove your daughter or your unborn baby.

As I said above, there is plenty of time during your pregnancy to work with you and address any significant concerns if these do arise but, currently, it does not appear that such concerns exist.

Please try to stay positive mummyof2. Continue to work openly and co-operatively with the social worker and have trust in the fact that you are clearly a concerned and protective mum and that this will be evident to the professional working with you.

Best wishes

Suzie
FRG Adviser