my son been taken away

[andyandy]

In my core meeting report she put in it this in it saying


the plan will remain in place for 4weeks following this 4 weeks testing period it will be discussed progressing the plan for ****** return home at the next core group

are they saying he could be back home at next core meeting or just talk about it im confused

but she saying she happy so far in rest of report

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Andyandy
From what you have written, it sounds like the social worker is saying that at the next core group meeting, following the 4 week assessment period, plans for returning your son home will be discussed. But that could mean anything – the discussion could mean a decision to return him home, or a decision that it isn’t time yet.
I know is a very difficult period for you, but please don’t try to read too much into every little thing. The most important thing is that you continue to have good contact with your child and the social worker is happy progress is being made.
I hope this is helpful.
All the best,
Suzie

[andyandy]

Hi I have some good news and some questions to ask you. The good news is my boy back home in my care and all going well but we have been put on a child protection plan again for 4 months. They told me I cant have hime alone without my wife being there and can't bath him without wife

The qustions I have is what happens after a child protection plan, can i come off and thats it or does it go on a chin plan

how long dose a chin plan last

I had to withdraw my volunty care because they didnt do what they told us that would happen but i did it nice and calm and are still working with socail has much as we can

I would like to thank you for all you help keep up good work.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi AndyAndy

Congratulations that your child has returned to your care. Well done for recognising the importance of continuing to engage with the social worker, (and any other professionals that may be involved). You say the child protection plan is still in place. This is not unusual, so that a further period of monitoring can take place during the transition period. After the next review, if all continues to go well, it is likely that a child in need plan will ensure lower level support, to ensure things are heading in the right direction. This could be for a further three (to six month period), may be less, if there are no professional concerns. I hope things continue to go well with you as a family, it seems that your patience has paid off.

Best Wishes


Suzie

[ange301126]

andy andy,glad to hear you have your child home.I was very interested in the message when you wrote that you had withdrawn the voluntary care. You say that you did it calmly and you have the child home. Please would you describe fully how you went about it ,exactly what happened and what the social worker's reaction was? What support did you have or did you act alone etc.etc.? If you would it would be a great help.Thanks,please reply.

[andyandy]

i have be given new contact to sign from social. my wife must imform them of her shifts and i feel this is leaving me open for social visit when i am with my son and it worrying me. my wife asked about when such visit would occur (at minute every week, then reduce them to 3-4weeks) but when questioned social worker about telling about work shifts and asked if there would be more then one visit every 3-4week social worker said yes there possibly would be. is this good agreement contact to sign or not in your opinon? wife asked about what would happen at next core meeting and they are not clear what will happen. i just would like to know if this is ever going to end after all good progess i am making so far.

This formal agreement has been written in order to clarify expectations in respect of Mrs CRW and Mr AW. This document holds no legal status although it may become significant in subsequent actions if participants choose not to comply with the requirements.
The formal agreement is between Mrs CRW and Mr AW and N Children Families and Cultural Services Department. The agreement is in relation to the expectation placed upon Mrs CRW and Mr AW in safeguarding C .
The Local Authority Children, Families and Cultural Services Department have recommended this plan is in place due to the potential risks of significant harm posed to the above named child as a result of an unexplained injury to a child in Mr AW care.


1. Mrs CRW is to conduct all bath time routines with' C. Mr AW is to participate in this but water temperature regulation will be the responsibility of Mrs CRW- until agreed otherwise by Social Worker K B.
2. Mr AW is to have care of C during Mrs CRW 6 hour shifts. Mr RW and Mrs JW are to visit the family home on each of these occasions to check the safety and wellbeing of C.
3. Mrs CRW is to inform Social Worker KB when she has a 6 hour shift.
4. Mr AW is not to have sole care of C overnight, should Mrs CRW be required to work overnight C should be cared for by Maternal Grandparents, either at their home or at C's home. Mr AW can be present but not have sole care.
5. Mrs JW and Mr RW are to report any concern for C's safety to the Social Worker KB immediately.
6. Any changes to this plan should be clarified and agreed by Children's Social Care.
The above recommendations are to remain in place until Children's Social Care have established there is no risk of injury to C in the care A W.
I would like to remind all parties that although this document is not legally binding there is an expectation that those who sign are entering into a moral obligation which reflects their commitment towards ensuring the safety of C and protecting him from potential significant harm. The cooperation of the above mentioned parties in relation to this agreement may be integrated into any future assessments conducted by this agency.
If the agreements within this contract are not adhered to, then legal advice may be sought by the Children, Families and Cultural Services Department.


june core meeting

Summary of Progress and events Since the last child meeting
Aims and Immediate Safety
The aims of the plan are:
protection meeting • to monitor C's safety and wellbeing effectively, ensure his needs are being met and observe how parents are coping with his return to their care. The social worker is intending to see him each week for the first 6 weeks and, if all is still positive, to reduce the frequency of visiting every 3-4 weeks. Visits may be announced or unannounced
• to narrow down the likely explanations for Jay injuries so that the ongoing discussions and observations can address the most likely scenarios. The social worker is recommended to speak to the police officer in charge of the recent investigation
• to maintain the written agreement between family and Social Care.
I will aim to discuss with the Police and Consultant again within the next 4 weeks.

Weekly visits to continue this week and next, after which visits will drop to once
every 3 to 4 weeks. .
C has returned to the care of his parents, and there has thus far been no concerns raised from home visits. The family continue to work with social care, although feel that they should be able to mange how the plan progresses.
Social care will remain involved until they are satisfied that C is not at risk in the care of his father.
Written agreement to be completed to make clear the responsibility of the adults in the family and their role in safeguarding C.
2. The health visitor is to continue seeing C monthly. (There will be a change of health visitor, now that C is back home).
New Health Visitor LS met with the family 2 or 3 weeks ago. She has no concerns with his development apart from his speech which were are aware of and are currently addressing. LS will not be completing monthly visits as she feels this is not required. She will instead look to visit every 8 weeks.




There was also a discussion regarding C's potty training. He has shown an interest in this and will use the potty when encouraged. CRW is fearful of him having accidents however. It was recommended that he be able to have accidents as this will teach him the sensation of wee in his pants, and he will not like this and learn to hold it for the potty. We discussed taking lots of changes of clothing for him and asking him regularly to use the potty/toilet when they go out.
Education
3. CRW is recommended to continue to engage with Sure Start and take C to group sessions to his socialisation and speech.
CRW and C are still attending sure start session regularly, and C has recently been with them on a trip to a fire station which he really enjoyed. C has attended all of the Tots on Tour sessions surestart centre and CRW is waiting for the new schedule to be made available and will look at other activities to join and encourage his speech. AW and CRW have also talked to sure start about home talk support.
Family & Social Relationships
4. C is to continue to stay with his maternal grandparents every Thursday (including overnight). This is no longer happening as CRW work patterns have changed. Her shifts are not set which makes managing the care of C difficult. Social Care wanted to offer the family a short period unsupervised care for AW but the family pushed for longer periods. .
It was therefore agreed that during CRW 6 hour shifts AW would have care of C. I requested that JW and RW attends the property during this time or that AW visit them, so that C's welfare can be checked. This is to happen for at least the first 2 weeks of this new agreement. The written agreement will reflect this.
Parenting Capacity
5. Both parents are recommended to complete the Incredible Years programme.
Both parents are still attending the incredible years course and this will be completed in July 2012. Additional information:
- CRW has requested to meet with the chair prior to the next conference.
- I have informed AW that a referral has been made to an Advocates service for him and he is currently
On the waiting list.

[Esme, Moderator]

This thread has been edited in line with forum rules.

Forum users are reminded not to post information that may identify individuals. This is to protect all of our members.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi andyandy

Thanks for your update.

I apreciate that you feel things are dragging on with children's services. From an outsiders perspective though, I would say that you have made incredible progress and that things are continuing to move in the right direction.

Initially, children's services did not want to return your son to your care. Now, however,
- Your son is home
- Social worker visits will soon be reducing from every week to every 3-4 weeks
- It has been agreed that the health visitor only needs to visit every 8 weeks, even though children's services wanted her to visit every month
- It has been agreed that it is safe for you to be responsible for your son for long periods of time (6hrs) even though children's services wanted this to be for shorter periods at first
- Children's services have said that there have been no concerns raised by home visits since your son came home

All of the above is really positive and there is no reason to think that things will not continue to go positively. Children's services will always reserve the right to step up their involvement if anything else happened that caused them to be concerned about your son's safety. From what you have posted, however, it does honestly seem as if their intention is to withdraw from your family as soon as possible.

In terms of the social worker visiting when you are alone with your son, this may happen. In some ways, however, this may be a positive thing as it will allow you to show the social worker that you are able to manage on your own with your son. Hopefully this will reduce her concerns further.

I would advise you to sign the agreement and continue to work with the plan. Of course, if circumstances change or the social worker is asking you to agree to something further that you do not feel is fair, you could always review your agreement and change your mind in the future.

I hope this helps andyandy.

Best Wishes

Suzie
FRG Adviser

[ange301126]

Hi,andy-andy, I expect you have already noticed it but I would just like to point out that the agreement you signed appears to be wrong from the very beginning when it is stated falsely by the social worker that it is required because of AN UNEXPLAINED INJURY to your boy.
From my understanding of your posts,the injury was explained and the social worker accepted that it was accidental.
You should be wary about mistakes such as this because they may be taken as true in the future by other professionals and although wrong they will take it as a fact that the INFORMAL AGREEMENT and interference with your family life was necessary for that reason.

[ange301126]

Hi,andy-andy, I expect you have already noticed it but I would just like to point out that the agreement you signed appears to be wrong from the very beginning when it is stated falsely by the social worker that it is required because of AN UNEXPLAINED INJURY to your boy.
From my understanding of your posts,the injury was explained and the social worker accepted that it was accidental.
You should be wary about mistakes such as this because they may be taken as true in the future by other professionals and although wrong they will take it as a fact that the INFORMAL AGREEMENT and interference with your family life was necessary for that reason.