Hi all,
Where to start!
I already judge myself, I can do without others doing so...
There was an altercation with the neighbour and my partner last year and still the police have not taken a statement, during one of my meltdowns (PTSD sufferer) I was overthinking, why are they not bothered about what my partner has to say, I know he has past charges (10+ years ago) anyway I applied for Claire's law, then ignored their emails because it was not at the top of my priorities, anyway they turned up asked me some questions and before I knew it were saying we're taking this out of your hands and going to arrest him.
He is now on police bail for 3 months and I have social services down my throat, I told social services I didn't want their input and could she ask the manager to drop all support, I've just had a phone call to state that I either engage or it goes across to discuss child protection, so obviously I've chosen to engage.
My issue here is, it wasn't at child protection threshold before, so it shouldn't be now!
I have contacted a solicitor because I haven't written a statement and said the moment they were going to arrest him that I wouldn't be writing one, as I don't have anything to say.
Will I just have to ride this out?
I will never trust the police again the things in report were NOT things I said.
I want my partner home (known him 10 years been together 2)
Thanks in advance
Child and family assessment stress
-
Suzie, FRG Adviser
- Posts: 4256
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:57 pm
Re: Child and family assessment stress
Dear Squiffy
Welcome to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser.
I am sorry to hear about the difficulties that you are having. And that you are finding children’s services’ involvement stressful. It can provoke anxiety for parents especially those who have experienced trauma, which you have.
Children’s services became involved due to concerns about your partner. He has historic offences and was involved in an incident with a neighbour last year. He is currently on police bail. I am unsure whether this is in relation to the incident with the neighbour or to do with an alleged offence against you. Prior to this, you began a Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) application process but did not follow up. Clare’s Law allows individuals to ask the police if their partner has a history of abusive or violent behaviour. When police visited you in relation to this they took the decision to arrest your partner. You are not willing to provide a statement and have sought legal advice from a solicitor. You dispute the information recorded by the police. Please be aware that children’s services will take account of information provided by the police.
You did not want to engage with children’s services initially but have now agreed to do so. This is a sensible decision. Children’s services are responsible for supporting and protecting vulnerable children. Concerns about the risk of domestic abuse and violence are taken very seriously. Please see our specialist advice materials on domestic abuse for mothers for more explanation about this. As your partner has a concerning history and is under a police investigation, children’s services want to work with you as the children’s mother to ensure that you understand the concerns, that you have the right support in place e.g. from a domestic support service (linked to here) and that you are able to make safe decisions for yourself and your child/ren. Your cooperation with the assessment indicates that you are willing to do this. However, you are adamant that you want your partner home. It is very important that you consider the outcome of the social work assessment of your children’s needs and the police investigation when they are completed.
If you were not willing to engage, the social worker suggested this would lead to a multiagency strategy meeting to decide if the threshold for a child protection investigation was met. This is likely to be because children’s services are worried that it may not be safe to close the case without an assessment because of the worrying circumstances you have described.
You may find it helpful to know more about how children’s services’ work which you can find here. I would also suggest that you have a look at these tips to working with a social worker as they may help you. The social worker will complete a holistic child in need assessment to understand your family’s situation better and make recommendations about what support or services should be offered or action taken.
You ask if you will have to ride this out. I would recommend that you participate as fully as possible in the assessment, ask the social worker to keep you fully updated and let you know any concerns as soon as possible, if they arise. The maximum timescale for completing an assessment is 45 working days although it can be finished sooner. The outcome is important so best to make sure you understand what the social worker is recommending and why.
Please do seek further advice as needed.
You can post back on this forum, call our freephone advice line on 0808 8010366, Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm (except bank holidays), use our advice enquiry form or webchat.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes
Suzie
Welcome to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser.
I am sorry to hear about the difficulties that you are having. And that you are finding children’s services’ involvement stressful. It can provoke anxiety for parents especially those who have experienced trauma, which you have.
Children’s services became involved due to concerns about your partner. He has historic offences and was involved in an incident with a neighbour last year. He is currently on police bail. I am unsure whether this is in relation to the incident with the neighbour or to do with an alleged offence against you. Prior to this, you began a Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) application process but did not follow up. Clare’s Law allows individuals to ask the police if their partner has a history of abusive or violent behaviour. When police visited you in relation to this they took the decision to arrest your partner. You are not willing to provide a statement and have sought legal advice from a solicitor. You dispute the information recorded by the police. Please be aware that children’s services will take account of information provided by the police.
You did not want to engage with children’s services initially but have now agreed to do so. This is a sensible decision. Children’s services are responsible for supporting and protecting vulnerable children. Concerns about the risk of domestic abuse and violence are taken very seriously. Please see our specialist advice materials on domestic abuse for mothers for more explanation about this. As your partner has a concerning history and is under a police investigation, children’s services want to work with you as the children’s mother to ensure that you understand the concerns, that you have the right support in place e.g. from a domestic support service (linked to here) and that you are able to make safe decisions for yourself and your child/ren. Your cooperation with the assessment indicates that you are willing to do this. However, you are adamant that you want your partner home. It is very important that you consider the outcome of the social work assessment of your children’s needs and the police investigation when they are completed.
If you were not willing to engage, the social worker suggested this would lead to a multiagency strategy meeting to decide if the threshold for a child protection investigation was met. This is likely to be because children’s services are worried that it may not be safe to close the case without an assessment because of the worrying circumstances you have described.
You may find it helpful to know more about how children’s services’ work which you can find here. I would also suggest that you have a look at these tips to working with a social worker as they may help you. The social worker will complete a holistic child in need assessment to understand your family’s situation better and make recommendations about what support or services should be offered or action taken.
You ask if you will have to ride this out. I would recommend that you participate as fully as possible in the assessment, ask the social worker to keep you fully updated and let you know any concerns as soon as possible, if they arise. The maximum timescale for completing an assessment is 45 working days although it can be finished sooner. The outcome is important so best to make sure you understand what the social worker is recommending and why.
Please do seek further advice as needed.
You can post back on this forum, call our freephone advice line on 0808 8010366, Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm (except bank holidays), use our advice enquiry form or webchat.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes
Suzie
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