S47 initiated after false allegations

[Winter25]

If you’re not being given the CDT worker’s details, then Ask the duty manager (or the main children’s services contact who called you) to confirm in writing:

Who received the referral from the school, Which team processed it, and The name and role of the worker who recorded the children’s statements.

They must tell you this, it’s your right to know who handled information about your children. If the CDT was not actually allocated, that will become clear very quickly once they answer those questions.

[Fatherof480]

I was able to get details of the duty team and name of the allocated worker from the previous CDT assistant who came out to the initial visit. I will be sending an email this morning.

[Fatherof480]

Quick update. Had a call today in response to my email from the allocated CDT worker. She informed me that she is leaving the service today as her contract had expired and that someone will be in touch next week. She apologised for not contacting me sooner but claimed she "just didn't get round to doing it". When i questioned her about the change of information and that it was different from the schools version,, she tried to pass it off as the info couldve changed after the initial worker spoke to the children in which i corrected her that it was said before they even had the chance to talk to them. I have also spoken to the the vice principal at the school and put in a subject access request for the submitted report.

[Winter25]

Hi Fatherof480,

Thanks for the update. What you’ve described is exactly what happens when a Section 47 is weak and the LA are just trying to finish the process.

A few key points:

1. The CDT worker saying she “didn’t get round to it” is very telling.
If they thought your children were at real risk, she wouldn’t have ignored the case for weeks or left without doing anything. That alone shows this is a low-concern situation.

2. Her explanation about the “changed information” doesn’t add up.
You were right to correct her. The school’s version was recorded before social services spoke to your twins, so the incorrect version came from somewhere inside the system—not your children.

3. Your SAR to the school is the best thing you could have done.
Getting the exact written record of what was said will settle the facts and protect you later.

4. A new worker contacting you next week is normal.
They will read the notes, see the inconsistencies, and simply finish the assessment. Nothing here looks like escalation.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Fatherof480

Thank you for your further queries and updating posts. This is Suzie, Family Rights Group’s online adviser. I am sorry to hear that there has not been much progress in your children’s case. However, you have been proactive in trying to make sure that information is accurate and in trying to clarify what the children with disabilities team’s involvement is and who the allocated worker is.

The social worker has probably already been to visit your younger girls as part of their assessment. If so, I hope it went well. You were concerned that the social worker mentioned background checks on you and your wife and that they would contact the police. This is not unusual as they are trying to ensure they have an accurate picture of your family.

You were also worried about whether there was any extra preparation you needed to do for the visit because of the girls’ needs and how the social worker might interpret their presentation. You are an expert in terms of your own children’s needs so if you explained to the social worker how they present that will have been helpful. The social worker should engage with the children according to their age and understanding and should have a good awareness of how ADHD impacts children. There is no requirement for children to present in a particular way. Your willingness to allow the social worker to talk to them is the right approach.

You have had difficulties getting details about the social worker from the children with disabilities team. She has now been in touch although is leaving the department. It is unfortunate and frustrating that she could not tell you who the new social worker would be.

There has been some confusion about why the recent referral went to the children with disabilities team even though the case was closed to them since June. I may be able to clarify this. Many local authorities have a policy which states that if a new referral comes in about children whose case was closed to children’s services in the last six months – then it is passed to the team that was most recently involved. You can check if your children’s services have this policy. Once a new worker is allocated, I hope they will be able to explain more.

You have already flagged your concerns about the discrepancies in information held by school and children’s services, you are awaiting the outcome of your initial complaint to children’s services and have asked the school to share their report with you (and have formally put in a subject access request) so you have already done a lot. You should hear back from children’s services’ complaints department soon but if not then do chase that up as they must let you know if they are unable to respond to you in the required timescale.

I hope the social worker answers the questions we discussed previously and that they can let you know the status and completion date of their assessment including when they will share a copy and their recommendations with you. Receiving the assessment and then going through it carefully is the key to understanding what information was shared and gathered and by whom. You will then be in a better position to respond to concerns you have about the accuracy of information. If the assessment concludes that there are no child protection concerns, then any plan of support offered to you is voluntary. I hope that children’s services update you as soon as possible.

Please call the confidential freephone advice line if you would find it helpful to discuss the situation with an experienced adviser. The number is 0808 8010366 and the lines are open from 9.30 am to 3.00 pm, Mon to Fri (except bank holidays). Of course, please post back if you prefer.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes

Suzie

[Fatherof480]

I ended up having to rebook the social worker visit as our youngest (who has ADHD and an abnormal sleep pattern) fell asleep 2 hours before her visit. When I explained this, she said its fine and if she falls asleep again during her visit that she could just go in her room to view her. We thought that was a bit strange as I believed that was only allowed under exceptional circumstances, not a general visit as they are not allowed to snoop without good cause?

[Winter25]

You’re right to question it.

For a routine assessment, a social worker does not have an automatic right to go into a child’s bedroom or “view” them while they are asleep. That would usually only be appropriate if there were specific safeguarding concerns, which doesn’t apply here.

It’s completely reasonable to rebook the visit so your child can be seen awake. Saying no to bedroom access is not non-cooperation.

If it comes up again, you can simply say:
“I’m happy to rearrange so she can be seen awake, but I’m not comfortable with bedroom access while she’s asleep.”

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

I ended up having to rebook the social worker visit as our youngest (who has ADHD and an abnormal sleep pattern) fell asleep 2 hours before her visit. When I explained this, she said its fine and if she falls asleep again during her visit that she could just go in her room to view her. We thought that was a bit strange as I believed that was only allowed under exceptional circumstances, not a general visit as they are not allowed to snoop without good cause?

Dear Fatherof480,
Thanks for your post. I am Suzie, an online adviser replying to your post today.
I concur with the advice you have already received from another forum user that discomfort with a child being seen by a social worker while they are sleeping is understandable and is not a lack of co-operation. I also agree that you could email or write to the social worker requesting that a further visit is arranged.

Best wishes,
Suzie

[Fatherof480]

Update: Main SW came for visit on 14th and was happy with everything and gave us a couple of suggestions along with advising that she'll be doing GP/police checks and then contact us with her reccommendations. CDTW came today to tell us that a strategy meeting was held on 11th November and police and themselves came to a verdict of NFA. We're now just waiting for them to complete the family assessment which will be done in the new year as apparently was supposed to be completed by today. They have offered a CIN plan but we turned it down. We are awaiting the SARs from CS and the school and looking to push the complaint forward as far as we can.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Fatherof480,

This is Suzie, just to say thank you for your update. I hope that the family assessment is now completed well and the outcomes are positive.

Best wishes,
Suzie