Section 47 Enquiry After Withdrawal from Section 17
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 2:13 am
Dear Experts
I have been requesting assistance for my son-3 &daughter-7 years old, had several Section 17 C&F Assessments, with little or no support in the past 3 years. Health Visitor referred once again, in August, met Social Worker on 06/08/25, shortly left on maternity. Case passed onto Family Support Service -initially met online 18/09/25, then home visits on 22/09/25& 01/10/25. Communication was atrocious, no follow up or updates. Multi agency (professionals involved with children) online meeting arranged for October, but before then, received an unexpected call from her manager on 07/10/25, I requested all details via email.
Manager sent email, stating Support Worker on leave,&that "they decided to review safeguarding concerns to be assessed by a social worker." Social worker contacted 09/10/25, dishonest, unprofessional from outset, as well as being aggressive & intimidating. Never revealed purpose, supposed to be Section 17 C&F Assessment. She only text, no email, until requested her email address.
First Social Worker visit 23/10/25, I was outraged Support Worker not updated as promised, rang Specialist on spot, whom known a few years -helped relocate us for safety. Social Worker requested to speak to Specialist, passed phone &began shouting at Specialist aggressively! Although Specialist remained calm said not to shout. From that point, had bad feeling about Social Worker's intent. Emailed head of service 23/10/25, to relay details of visit, how uncomfortable I was in her presence &way in which she handled matters -no response.
Professionals meeting held on 29/10/25 -health visitor, educational professionals, etc. During this, Social Worker was disrespectful, asked suspiciously- my son did not look right, to which Health Visitor said,"her children are well looked after." In fact my son has medical issues since birth, all professionals always remarked on how pale he is.
Subsequently, sent another email to head of service on 30/10/25 again detailing concerns -no response.
Social Worker was unwilling to engage with the Specialist- despite her having world of knowledge regarding my case. I was now adamant not to allow Social Worker to visit again, always bullying to enforce her way. However, Specialist advised to keep engaging, email to request clarification & allow a final visit. In her email reply on 10/11/25, Social Worker said safeguarding concerns raised by colleagues in Family Support Service - basically the Support Worker. I stated, no concerns ever raised by any professionals to date. I allowed the Social Worker to visit on 13/11/25.
Expressed my views of her bad intent, to prove myself as an unfit parent when ironically I requested help& she was evasive, patronising. I added, Health Visitor witnessed &can verify in past 3 years, how fought for needs of my children. A few minutes later, my non-verbal son, began crying continuously for 40 mins, whilst Social Worker still probing with same questions as before, almost checking if answers were same? without regard for my distressed child. He kept gesturing to move out of room away from that woman. In fact she was useless, as resolved educational matters myself.
On 14/11/25 emailed managers of both, Social Worker &Support Worker formally withdrawing from Section 17, so no longer engaging in process due to inconsistencies, no transparency etc. I requested acknowledgement of emails -no response.
On 25/11/25 without notice, same Social worker was banging on front door, had a piece of paper in hand. Shocked I asked,"why are you here?," she said "I need to come in," I said "no you are not, you did not inform me before I do not understand this," then closed door.
On 27/11/25 Social Worker texted,"I need to come and see you and the children tomorrow to discuss next steps please. We have held a meeting in regard to your children and it's really important we meet so I can discuss with you and gather your views." My response-have withdrawn from Section 17 or any engagement with her, cannot visit or contact further, but send email with next steps.
Health Visitor texted 24/11/25 to check in, I then messaged her on 27/11/25, explained situation, highly anxious &asked if received contact from Social Services. She confirmed strategy meeting undertaken on 20/11/25 involving, Social Worker/Support Worker/Social Care manager/police rep/maybe housing& it was now a Section 47. I began researching, found this forum, so emailed on 28/11/25 for a Formal Written Request for Justification of Section 47.
On 28/11/25 Social Worker replied, "I have spoken with a manager this morning and they have requested I ask you whether you would be comfortable with a duty social worker coming to visit the children today? Please let me know. We will also then aim to arrange a manager coming to see you next week to discuss things further."
I replied again on 28/11/25 to advise no visits/meetings until formal request furnished, children have been seen by education staff, no safeguarding risks raised, no need for Social Worker visit.
Emails followed from managers; first on 01/12/25, disregarding formal request- merely enforcing a Social Worker would visit &minutes of strategy meeting only sent to professionals. Again I reiterated, a response was required to information request, no visits until then.
I repeated the same request at least 4 times, copied in CEO, first manager then advised, Health Visitor was the instigator?! I was stunned, so messaged Health Visitor, sent her screenshot of email reply, placing blame on her. Health Visitor said had referred for support, but escalation to Section 47 was by Family Support Service not her!
Second manager proceeded to email 01/12/25, (the first ignored email), simply conveying, Assistant Manager &Social Worker will visit 02/12/25, 11am to do a Child and Family Assessment..? I replied firstly to clarify which manager was dealing with my complaints, &if was now a Section 47 or Section 17 Assessment? if the latter then why was it being pursued, as I withdrew from Section 17 on 14/11/25. In addition, quoted first manager's email, placing blame on Health Visitor, &then added exact reply from Health Visitor, stating otherwise! With contradictory accounts, do not trust either, therefore, formal written information request needed, as per advice from legal representative (do not have yet-trying to find one).
Over weekend requested access to details under FOI plus SAR for my case, as all evasive, no immediate danger, else police would have accompanied Social Worker at door.
Second Manager replied 02/12/25-first one dealing with complaint,&"writing to inform you about the visit in her absence". My email states-avoiding my repeated request, need response else legal representative will contact!-no response.
What should I do now?
I have been requesting assistance for my son-3 &daughter-7 years old, had several Section 17 C&F Assessments, with little or no support in the past 3 years. Health Visitor referred once again, in August, met Social Worker on 06/08/25, shortly left on maternity. Case passed onto Family Support Service -initially met online 18/09/25, then home visits on 22/09/25& 01/10/25. Communication was atrocious, no follow up or updates. Multi agency (professionals involved with children) online meeting arranged for October, but before then, received an unexpected call from her manager on 07/10/25, I requested all details via email.
Manager sent email, stating Support Worker on leave,&that "they decided to review safeguarding concerns to be assessed by a social worker." Social worker contacted 09/10/25, dishonest, unprofessional from outset, as well as being aggressive & intimidating. Never revealed purpose, supposed to be Section 17 C&F Assessment. She only text, no email, until requested her email address.
First Social Worker visit 23/10/25, I was outraged Support Worker not updated as promised, rang Specialist on spot, whom known a few years -helped relocate us for safety. Social Worker requested to speak to Specialist, passed phone &began shouting at Specialist aggressively! Although Specialist remained calm said not to shout. From that point, had bad feeling about Social Worker's intent. Emailed head of service 23/10/25, to relay details of visit, how uncomfortable I was in her presence &way in which she handled matters -no response.
Professionals meeting held on 29/10/25 -health visitor, educational professionals, etc. During this, Social Worker was disrespectful, asked suspiciously- my son did not look right, to which Health Visitor said,"her children are well looked after." In fact my son has medical issues since birth, all professionals always remarked on how pale he is.
Subsequently, sent another email to head of service on 30/10/25 again detailing concerns -no response.
Social Worker was unwilling to engage with the Specialist- despite her having world of knowledge regarding my case. I was now adamant not to allow Social Worker to visit again, always bullying to enforce her way. However, Specialist advised to keep engaging, email to request clarification & allow a final visit. In her email reply on 10/11/25, Social Worker said safeguarding concerns raised by colleagues in Family Support Service - basically the Support Worker. I stated, no concerns ever raised by any professionals to date. I allowed the Social Worker to visit on 13/11/25.
Expressed my views of her bad intent, to prove myself as an unfit parent when ironically I requested help& she was evasive, patronising. I added, Health Visitor witnessed &can verify in past 3 years, how fought for needs of my children. A few minutes later, my non-verbal son, began crying continuously for 40 mins, whilst Social Worker still probing with same questions as before, almost checking if answers were same? without regard for my distressed child. He kept gesturing to move out of room away from that woman. In fact she was useless, as resolved educational matters myself.
On 14/11/25 emailed managers of both, Social Worker &Support Worker formally withdrawing from Section 17, so no longer engaging in process due to inconsistencies, no transparency etc. I requested acknowledgement of emails -no response.
On 25/11/25 without notice, same Social worker was banging on front door, had a piece of paper in hand. Shocked I asked,"why are you here?," she said "I need to come in," I said "no you are not, you did not inform me before I do not understand this," then closed door.
On 27/11/25 Social Worker texted,"I need to come and see you and the children tomorrow to discuss next steps please. We have held a meeting in regard to your children and it's really important we meet so I can discuss with you and gather your views." My response-have withdrawn from Section 17 or any engagement with her, cannot visit or contact further, but send email with next steps.
Health Visitor texted 24/11/25 to check in, I then messaged her on 27/11/25, explained situation, highly anxious &asked if received contact from Social Services. She confirmed strategy meeting undertaken on 20/11/25 involving, Social Worker/Support Worker/Social Care manager/police rep/maybe housing& it was now a Section 47. I began researching, found this forum, so emailed on 28/11/25 for a Formal Written Request for Justification of Section 47.
On 28/11/25 Social Worker replied, "I have spoken with a manager this morning and they have requested I ask you whether you would be comfortable with a duty social worker coming to visit the children today? Please let me know. We will also then aim to arrange a manager coming to see you next week to discuss things further."
I replied again on 28/11/25 to advise no visits/meetings until formal request furnished, children have been seen by education staff, no safeguarding risks raised, no need for Social Worker visit.
Emails followed from managers; first on 01/12/25, disregarding formal request- merely enforcing a Social Worker would visit &minutes of strategy meeting only sent to professionals. Again I reiterated, a response was required to information request, no visits until then.
I repeated the same request at least 4 times, copied in CEO, first manager then advised, Health Visitor was the instigator?! I was stunned, so messaged Health Visitor, sent her screenshot of email reply, placing blame on her. Health Visitor said had referred for support, but escalation to Section 47 was by Family Support Service not her!
Second manager proceeded to email 01/12/25, (the first ignored email), simply conveying, Assistant Manager &Social Worker will visit 02/12/25, 11am to do a Child and Family Assessment..? I replied firstly to clarify which manager was dealing with my complaints, &if was now a Section 47 or Section 17 Assessment? if the latter then why was it being pursued, as I withdrew from Section 17 on 14/11/25. In addition, quoted first manager's email, placing blame on Health Visitor, &then added exact reply from Health Visitor, stating otherwise! With contradictory accounts, do not trust either, therefore, formal written information request needed, as per advice from legal representative (do not have yet-trying to find one).
Over weekend requested access to details under FOI plus SAR for my case, as all evasive, no immediate danger, else police would have accompanied Social Worker at door.
Second Manager replied 02/12/25-first one dealing with complaint,&"writing to inform you about the visit in her absence". My email states-avoiding my repeated request, need response else legal representative will contact!-no response.
What should I do now?