scared please help

[Ged23]

My partner has been in prison linked to DV (previous to our relationship) I was aware, we had a silly row the other week an his dad rang the police social services made contact an visited soon after we are awaiting a child protection conference in the next few weeks im terrified of what may happen please can you give me some advice?
Thanks

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Ged23,

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

You say that your partner has been in prison previously due to offences relating to domestic abuse. You said that you had an argument recently and your partner's father rang the police. Children's services have since made contact and there is now going to an initial child protection conference. You are worried about what may happen and would like some advice.

Firstly, I am sorry to hear that you are frightened about what to expect - this is a normal response to what has happened.

Children's services are involved in yours and your children's lives because they are worried about your relationship with your partner and the impact that this may have. They have initiated child protection enquiries, which means that they are worried your children have suffered significant harm or may be at risk of significant harm. The social worker will conduct the child protection enquiries - during this time, they will want to speak to you, your children, other agencies such as your children's school/GP and any other significant people in their lives. It is important that you work effectively with the social worker during this time in order to understand their concerns and what steps they would like you to take to keep you and your children safe.

You have been invited to an initial child protection conference. This is a large multiagency meeting, which will be attended by professionals involved in your children's lives and chaired by a child protection chair. Prior to the meeting, the social worker will prepare a report with their assessment of the situation and their recommendations. It is important that you are given this report with enough time to go through it and to raise any issues with the social worker. You will also have the opportunity to have your say during the conference. At the end of the conference, the chair will make a decision as to whether your children have reached the threshold for a child protection plan. If this is the case, a child protection plan will be developed in order to address the identified risks and this plan will be reviewed at 'core group meetings' every 4-6 weeks. You will be in attendance at these meetings along with the other involved professionals. The chair will hold another conference in 3 months to assess whether your children need to remain subject to the plan.

Sometimes at a a child protection conference, the chair may decide that the threshold has not been met for a child protection plan, but that the family would benefit from ongoing support. They may recommend that the children be placed on a child in need plan. You can read more about this herehere.

You may also find it useful to take a look at our page on child protection here.

You describe the argument you had with your partner as a 'silly row.' The social worker may be concerned that you are minimising the impact that conflict can have on children in the home. They are also likely to have concerns given your partner's criminal history for domestic abuse. Whilst you are not responsible for your partner's behaviour, you will be expected to act in a protective capacity, to show insight into the impact that domestic abuse can have on children, and to put the safety and wellbeing of your children first. You may find it helpful to take a look at our webpage on domestic abuse here.

I hope you have found this helpful. If you would like to talk to one of our adviser, you can call our helpline from 09:30 - 15:00 Monday - Friday on 0808 801 0366.

Best wishes,

Suzie.