Help Pre-birth Rec- child protection route

[mumo4]

Okay i have 3 kids my daughter choose to live with her dad when we split up, my other 2 remained with me. I got a new bf who had bad violent crimes all while drunk. My kids were on at risk register, then last year my bf pushed me i was drunk couldn't mind a thing, cctv seen it he git charged police said a was minimising risk he posed, even though i let them take pics, my parents kept my kids so they didn't see my injuries. Then sw decided safer kids remain with my parents. Ive did everything sw wanted apart from i got bk with my bf. Am pregnant to him, i have my kids wed t Sunday and sw work did a prebirth n now say partner risk, hes no done anything since sept last year, hes also quit drinking. Am at panel oct t get my other 2 kids bk. I don't want to have my baby taking off me, my bf doesn't live with me he doesn't come to mine while kids are here, i never cancel on kids so i put kids first. But still year later sw say he poses a risk, my point is surely dw cant say this constant for reasoning kids don't cone bk. Ive got a solicitor aswell. I assumed they only take babies away if risk of substancial harm but my partner doesn't live in my household. SW are stressing me out 27wks preg today and bringing report today fir me t read and multi agency meeting tomorrow surely i have a case against them.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear mumo4

Welcome to Family Rights Group Parent Discussion Board. My name is Suzie and I am an Adviser with Family Rights Group.

I am sorry for the difficulties that you are experiencing at what must already be a stressful time for you with your pregnancy.

You have said that your two children are with your parents and have been since last year due to concerns about the domestic violence in your relationship with your boyfriend. If your boyfriend assaults you by hitting or pushing you this will be of concern to the social worker as research shows that even if children do not witness domestic violence they are affected emotionally. Domestic violence is therefore taken very seriously. Your boyfriend has a history of violence and because of this history he will be seen as posing a risk to you and the children.

If you do not agree that your boyfriend is a risk then it is likely that the social worker and other professionals involved with you and your children will say that you are minimising the risk and would therefore not be able to protect the children.

You do not say what you were asked to do by the social worker but I assume you may have been asked to attend a domestic violence service for victims of domestic violence. You may also have been asked to attend parenting groups. The one thing you did not do was keep away from your boyfriend which would have been what the social worker expected from you. This means that you may have got back with your boyfriend without informing the social worker and, unfortunately, this is likely to give the impression that you are not working in an open an honest way with Children Services.

It is really very good that have regular contact with your children. As far as putting the children first is concerned you are doing well not cancelling contact but you also need to consider putting their needs over and above your needs and especially where your boyfriend is concerned.

Did the social worker ask your boyfriend to do anything to help him with his violent behaviour and, did he do it?

The reason the social worker thinks your boyfriend still poses a risk is because of the history of violence. If he has not had help the social worker thinks it can all happen again and it will not be safe to take the risk.

As your partner does not live with you the social worker may think the children can return to your care but the social worker may want you to agree that he will not come to your home at all. If you do not agree to do what the social worker ask unfortunately your children may not be able to return to your care. I do not want to be harsh but if you continue to say that your boyfriend is not a risk this will be taken as you not being able accept the concerns that the social worker have about your boyfriend. So if you continue to minimise the risk you will be seen as not being able to protect your children or yourself. This will be taken to mean that you do not have insight to the risk posed by your boyfriend and his violent behaviour.

I understand that it is really difficult to have to deal with these issues now but it is really very important that you cooperate and engage fully with the social worker as this is the best way to ensure you have your children with you.

Children Services have a duty to make sure that children are brought up safely in respect of their health, physical and emotional development. To do this they work with families to ensure that children can stay with them. The harm you refer to in your post is risk of significant harm or the likelihood of significant harm in the future. If you do not want your baby to be removed my advice is that you work with the social worker. You may not be aware of the procedures so you can read our advice sheet here child protection

Provided the social worker is following the correct procedures dealing with your case I do not think you have a case against them.

I wish you the very best of luck and hope you find the information helpful.
Best wishes

Suzie

[mumo4]

Social work never sent him to any counsilling or anger management. I also never had to do any classes, my bf doesn't come to my house at all. I see him at his on days i ain't got my kids. I attended a multi agency meeting today and its going to child protection. SW ain't getting my daughter! They ain't spoke to my parents who have my kids at present. For a year now used my bf as risk nothings happened to suggest any new concerns, they cant keep using that as a reasoning cause when i take it to sheriff n fight my case i will win. My bfs at court next week if found guilty he will b jailed, then the risks gone but its sw they'll try using me t get my baby.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hello again mumo4

Thank you for your further post. From information that you have provided in this post, it would appear that you live in Scotland.

At Family Rights Group, we offer specialist advice to families in contact with Children's Services in England and Wales.The laws and procedures regarding child protection are significantly different in Scotland and, unfortunately, we do not have the expertise to advise on these.

You are, of course, welcome to continue using the discussion board for peer support but please be aware that parents in England and Wales will have experienced very different procedures to yourself. In addition, unfortunately, much of the information contained in our advice sheets is not relevant in Scotland due to the legal differences.

For further advice in your situation, I would advise that you contact a solicitor practising Scottish family law and/ or that you contact the Scottish Child Law Centre

I hope this is helpful.

Best Wishes

Suzie
FRG Adviser