Need help

[GHG33G]

My youngest daughter was in hospital with a high temperature with her dad and social was more concerned about a bruise on her arm and as i was leaving the hospital i wasn't able to take my older daughter back with me in my car so social took her back to my address we're they was meeting my brother their so they can hand my daughter to him and my house keys so he can get my daughter some more clothes as i got to my brothers he then told me social had gone in to my house while i wasnt their with out my consent and looking round the house they was a section 47 on at the time social didn't inform me of them going in my brother did as they was no court involved at the time and they had no warrant.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear GHG33G

Thank you for your post and welcome to the forum. My name is Suzie, I am an online adviser at Family Rights Group and will be replying to you today. I am sorry to hear of your experiences with children’s services (previously known at social services).

Your youngest daughter was in hospital because she was unwell. Whilst there, professionals raised concerns about a bruise on her arm. Once your daughter’s condition improved and she was discharged from hospital, children’s services took her to your home, arranged to meet your brother there to collection some belongings for your daughter and then to take her to his home. Your were unaware of this until you spoke to your brother. A Section 47 child protection assessment was started.

When a Section 47 assessment is underway you retain parental responsibility for your child. Children’s services can ask you to agree to their requests but they do not have jurisdiction to enforce their requests. However, they can escalate their involvement if you do not agree.

In most cases, a social worker’s home visit is voluntary. You are not legally required to allow a social worker into your home unless they present specific legal authority, such as a court order or are accompanied by the police acting under emergency powers.

If a social worker turns up without a warrant, court order, or police presence, they have no automatic right of entry. However, there are situations where they can enter your home without consent:

• If they are accompanied by the police under a Police Protection Order (PPO)
• If the local authority has obtained an from the court Emergency Protection Order (EPO)

• If there is an immediate risk of significant harm to the child and urgent action is necessary.

If any of these apply, the social worker or police should provide official documentation confirming their powers.

If you have concerns about the actions of the social worker, you may wish to consider making a formal complaint. I have added complaint information and guidance regarding this process. Please do take a look.

I have further added HERE information and guidance regarding Section 47 assessments and how children’s services should be working with parents when this type of assessment is underway.

You may also find our 'top tips' guidance HERE helpful when working with social workers. This sets out how to work well with social workers and what you may wish to consider if things are not going well.

I hope the information provided is of help to you. Please post again if you have any further queries or you can call our free, confidential adviceline on 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3pm). We also have a webchat which is currently open on Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Best wishes, Suzie