Can they use my past against me ?

[Miserylovescompany2]

My situation is and was very different to your own. As is your history.

Your solicitor should be explaining what would happen if you received a negative parenting assessment. If you did receive one the SW should give you a clear outline of what you would need to do in-order the address the concerns. Have you asked your solicitor what will happen? As it stands this is currently an uncertainty for all. Your assessment could flag up something else? Also if there was something on the assessment you thought was not factual you could challenge this via your solicitor.

Every case is different.

If I were in your position I would make an appointment to see your solicitor to discuss your concerns. As they will have all the details.

I hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

I was involved in an escort services and one of the guys attacked me with a hammer and later left with all the money I had after begging him to spare my life. My son was in the living room while it happened. So I rang my aunts who later called the ambulance and the police for me, after removing my son from the house. So we were taking to the hospital and the doctor rang SS, but my son was still at my aunt’s. So after a week or so I relocated from the city to another city to start afresh, I know what I did was wrong and I never would never have been able to forgive myself if anything had happened to my child. So a month later SS and HV came to visit me where I moved to, they said my previous SS had rang them to explain what had happened, they said they’d need to get the police report and SS came a week later with the police to have my son removed from me with a court order. I’ve been working with them and done what they’ve asked me to do. I signed the parenting assessment form over 2 months ago and still waiting for them to get it started but waiting for them to start the parenting assessment is really taking too long and I’m not sure what the outcome will be. My contact has just been increased as SS told the panels that I’ve been co-operating with them, I’ve attended parenting classes and did eventually everything they asked of me.
My escort services was a one-off thing because I needed the money to sort out my visa application as my visa expired years back but my son is British. I only did escort services in the past but I stopped when I got pregnant, so I had just gone back and then I was attacked 2 days later.
Now my social worker has recommended a compulsory supervision Order for him while he stays with his carer pending my parenting assessment. She says I can call for a hearing and discharge the order after my parenting assessment is completed.
How soon could the parenting assessment take place and what could be the outcome ?
What happens if I get a negative report, will my immigration status be a barrier for me to have a negative report, what are the the questions they are likely to ask and what am I supposed to do at the moment ?
I’ve been waiting for the last 2 months to have the parenting assessment done after signing the consent form but no calls whatsoever. My son was taking in June and it’s getting close to Christmas and I’m just worried that I might not have him for Christmas. His carer told me that he’d be with them at Christmas since they haven’t started the assessment yet and they haven’t had the meeting yet too, she said they’ve started buying him his Christmas present.
I’m just scared that they might used my past against me during my parenting assessment and I might get a negative parenting assessment. The social worker report is mainly about my past, working as an escort and all.

Hi Aa385

Thank you for your post and welcome to the parents discussion board. My name is Suzie, online adviser, at Family Rights Group.

I am sorry that you have had such a difficult time and now feeling so worried about Children Service involvement and the parenting assessment that is to be done and what happens if it is negative. You have also stated in your post that you are worried that Children’s Services might use your past against you.

Children Services will either do a Parenting Assessment (PA), or request that an Independent Social Worker (ISW) completes this assessment. This assessment normally takes about 6 weeks to complete. The assessment will aim, amongst other things, to look at your abilities in protecting your son. For example, looking at how capable you are to keep him safe and, in doing so, you will be asked questions about the risks he may be exposed to. It will also be important to consider any changes you have made to ensure that he is not exposed to such risks and will ask questions to find out your views.

Your past will be taken into account but children’s services should look at where you are now and not rely solely on what happened before.

You indicate that you are working well with your social worker and this is a good thing.

Your subsequent posts indicate that you are in court and have a solicitor. You say that your solicitor has already made a request for the parenting assessment to commence. Has your solicitor sent you a copy of the letter making the request? If not, ask your solicitor to send you a copy.

You say in your post that the social worker is recommending a Compulsory Supervision Order, which suggests, that you are not within the jurisdiction that we advise on. I think this is as much as I can advise you in respect how a parenting assessment may be carried out as our remit provides advice relating to matters in England and Wales.

For further advice and support, you may find it helpful to contact the Scottish Child Law Centre on 01316676333 or Clan Child Law 0808 1290522.

I hope this helps

Best wishes
Suzie

[Aa385]

Thanks for your reply.

Just some more questions...

Do you mean parenting assessment will take 6 weeks to complete ?

Does the 6 weeks start from the day of the assessment to the end and what are the most common questions they ask during the assessment ?

Some people are saying assessment takes 3 months to complete.


What is the difference between independent Social Worker (ISW) assessment and my social worker assessment ?


Thanks.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Aa385

Thank you for posting again but please try to get advice from the agencies referred to in my post of 19 October.

You specifically mention Glasgow in your post on another thread so you do not fall within the advice remit of our service. Unfortunately, I am not able to advise you on procedures in Scotland.

I do hope you will be able to get the advice you need, perhaps you can discuss your concerns with your solicitor who should be able to explain things for you.

Best wishes

Suzie