Partner on SOR, what does this mean for his/our future?

[Anonymous777]

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[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Anonymous777,

Welcome to the parents' board and thank you for your post.

Your partner of 6 years was arrested for possessing indecent images of children and he is now subject to notification requirements. Your partner is awaiting a second court date to receive his sentence. You are very worried that this will impact your life together in the future, especially should you decide to have children together and would like to know if he will still 'flag up' after completing his time on the sex offenders register, and whether his conviction would show up on your enhanced DBS check.

Your partner's sentence will influence the amount of time he will be subject to notification requirements. If you were to become pregnant during the time that he is on the sex offenders register, the police are likely to make a referral to children's services, who will most likely at the very least, want to complete an assessment. This assessment will look at the risk that your partner may pose to a child you have together and what protective factors are in place. Dependant on the analysis of risk, children's services may want to remain involved in your child's birth - either under a child in need plan or child protection plan. If they are extremely concerned, they may initiate care proceedings to decide on the longer term care of your child, however it is important to remember that this only happens in response to a high level of risk.

Should you become pregnant after your partner is no longer subject to notification requirements, the police will no longer be involved, and therefore they will not automatically refer to children's services. However, your husband's conviction will still stand and you may be asked about this by your midwife, you may then refer to children's services - children's services may also become aware by any other means of referral which will most likely lead to an assessment as stated above. This will not show up on your enhanced DBS check as it is not a conviction in your name.

This is clearly a confusing and distressing time for you and there is a lot of uncertainty. It is important to remember that if you do have any children in the future and children's services become involved, they will want to ensure that your children are safe and that you are able to act in a sufficiently protective and appropriate way to any concerns.

I hope you have found this helpful.

Best wishes,

Suzie