Community contact stopped SW prejudice only

[charmed1]

Our children's previous social worker allowed our contact to be in the community. Play barn in term time or children's farm in school holidays. The new social worker won't allow it now for the parents even though the grandparents still get community contact as they always have and can actually choose where they want to go. She first said it was because we didn't manage the children when we did go outside. Totally untrue, contact notes are all positive. She also has given several more excuses, sorry reasons. They included that the parents could say inappropriate things to the children while outside (again no evidence that we ever did this nor would we. Contact is always supervised), that the weather is unpredictable, the children would be tired (term time), etc., etc. She then admitted that she actually doesn't agree with community contact. This is extremely prejudicial and based on her blanket opinion rather than our case. It has also made our parenting assessment very one sided as no one can see how we are outside the contact centre.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear charmed1,

You should be having “reasonable” contact with your children unless it is not reasonably practical or not in the welfare of your children.

Your social worker stopping a type of contact you and your children are use to and enjoy,-for no reason other than that she does not agree with it, does not sound very reasonable to me.

You could ask for her to put her reasons in writing for this change? Point out how contact had been very positive (see the supervisors notes).

You could also raise the change in contact with the independent reviewing officer ?

S/he can take issues with your children’s care plan up to senior management.

Best wishes,

Suzie

[charmed1]

Thank you Suzie. I have now emailed the sw asking exactly why she has stopped the outdoor contact for us and why the grandparents still have it. Will update with her response if/when I receive it.