Sorry help again!

[Mummyof1x]

Hi I posted yesterday about social services getting on my case about my new partner.. please read that if you haven’t to know the details.

I had a visit today unannounced from social services saying they are doing a section 47 enquiry and handed me a piece of paper to sign. It’s not a legally binding piece of paper, it was advising me that my partner doesn’t live with me, does not see my child unless in public and we have to do the assessments. I reached some advice and was told NOT to sign this piece of paper. I asked them what would happen if I didn’t and they said ‘they will seek legal advice’. I declined to sign it following my advice and they contacted me to say that they won’t be seeking legal advice as there manager said they can’t however they will make further enquiries to find ‘facts’ rather than the allegations.

Why would they tell me they will seek legal and then change their mind? They had no concerns about my house and told my new partner they can clearly see my child is happy and looks after my son best he can. All that is against my partner is allegations not facts, he hasn’t been charged with anything apart from a driving offence in the past.

They said they will come see me next week, am I right in thinking they need actual evidence to prove he’s a risk to children?

Thanks!

[Winter25]

Hi Mummyof1x,

I can completely understand why this has shaken you , an unannounced visit and the words “Section 47” would frighten any parent, especially when this is your first experience with social services.

A few important things to reassure you.

First, about the paper they asked you to sign.
What they put in front of you sounds like a voluntary safety agreement, not a court order. These are often used at the very start of enquiries when social workers are still trying to work out what (if anything) is actually going on. You were entitled to take advice and you were entitled to refuse to sign it. Declining does not mean you are being uncooperative – especially as you explained why and continued engaging with them.

The reason they initially mentioned “seeking legal advice” and then backed off is quite common. Social workers sometimes use that phrase loosely, but once a manager reviews the situation, it becomes clear there is no legal threshold to take it further. In simple terms: there wasn’t enough to justify escalating it, so they changed approach and decided to gather information instead.

That change is actually a good sign, not a bad one.

Second, about evidence and risk.
Yes – you are right. For a Section 47 enquiry to go anywhere serious, social services need evidence of current risk to your child, not just allegations, rumours, or historic concerns about your partner that were never proven. Unproven allegations, old arguments, or past mental health support do not equal a child being at risk today.

The fact they:

had no concerns about your home,

said your child is happy,

observed positive care,

and acknowledged there are no charges or convictions,

all points towards this being an information-gathering exercise rather than a case heading toward removal.

Third, what happens next.
Seeing you again next week is normal in a Section 47 enquiry. They will likely:

ask more questions,

confirm timelines,

check consistency,

and possibly speak to other professionals already involved with your child.

As long as you remain open, calm, and factual (as you have been), this usually ends with no further action or, at most, a step down to something supportive rather than protective.

Finally, one important reassurance.
If social services genuinely believed your child was at immediate risk, they would not be politely visiting, complimenting your care, or backing away from legal threats. They would already have taken urgent action. That hasn’t happened because the threshold simply isn’t there.

You’re doing the right things:

you sought advice,

you didn’t sign under pressure,

you stayed engaged,

and you are clearly focused on your child’s wellbeing.

Try to take some comfort from that. From everything you’ve described, this looks unsettling but very unlikely to turn into anything more serious.

You’re doing a good job. Please keep asking questions if you need to , you’re not overreacting, and you’re not alone.

[Mummyof1x]

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m so new to this and this is the only place I can come to get actual advice from people that have lived it or know about this sort of thing and it helps a lot!

Yes it was a guidance paper from them which stated my partner needs to leave and only see my child in public, but I just felt as if my child isn’t at risk for that to even be considered right now.. so I didn’t sign after legal advice..


It’s just all stress before Christmas I feel like I don’t want or need because my child is safe and I’ve got to prove to them that he is which is very frustrating I’ll update when they come out next week if I have anymore questions or need clarity! Thanks again

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi I posted yesterday about social services getting on my case about my new partner.. please read that if you haven’t to know the details.

I had a visit today unannounced from social services saying they are doing a section 47 enquiry and handed me a piece of paper to sign. It’s not a legally binding piece of paper, it was advising me that my partner doesn’t live with me, does not see my child unless in public and we have to do the assessments. I reached some advice and was told NOT to sign this piece of paper. I asked them what would happen if I didn’t and they said ‘they will seek legal advice’. I declined to sign it following my advice and they contacted me to say that they won’t be seeking legal advice as there manager said they can’t however they will make further enquiries to find ‘facts’ rather than the allegations.

Why would they tell me they will seek legal and then change their mind? They had no concerns about my house and told my new partner they can clearly see my child is happy and looks after my son best he can. All that is against my partner is allegations not facts, he hasn’t been charged with anything apart from a driving offence in the past.

They said they will come see me next week, am I right in thinking they need actual evidence to prove he’s a risk to children?

Thanks!

Dear Mummyof1x,

I just wanted to let you know that I have responded to both of your posts on the thread 'First time and worried!'.

Best wishes,
Suzie
Family Rights Group adviser

[Mummyof1x]

Hello guys! I’ve got another problem! Sorry haha!

They came out again today to state they was in the area and thought they’d come and ‘check’ which is fine I let them in we all had a chat! Still working with them and I told them I will continue to work with them.

They stated all enquires are delayed due to the Christmas period and annual leave etc so it will take more time than expected to gain the facts and further enquiries. I said okay, not an issue.

They told me that at the moment, the reason they are looking at a CPP for my child is because my partners child is on a CPP and is going through the PLO process..

I’m sorry I could be wrong but surely this isn’t fair? It’s a different city, different social different everything I don’t understand whether this would be a good enough reason to put my son on a CPP? I really feel like he doesn’t need to be on one! I understand a lot of people say this but I genuinely mean it..

Also they never mentioned anything to me about a child protection conference.. can someone explain what this is and if this will definitely happen due to them doing the investigation? I want to be prepared for it if I know it’s going to happen!

Thanks again

[Winter25]

Hi Mummyof1x,

You’re absolutely right to question this, and I’m really glad you’re asking now rather than being left in the dark.

A child cannot be placed on a Child Protection Plan simply because a parent’s partner has another child on a CPP in a different local authority. That on its own is not enough. Each child must be assessed individually, in their own household, based on evidence of actual or likely significant harm to that child.

Social services are allowed to consider wider context, but they still have to show how and why that creates a real risk to your child specifically. Association alone is not a lawful threshold for a CPP.

From everything you’ve described so far:

There are no concerns about your care
No concerns about your home
No evidence your partner poses a risk to your child
You are fully engaging and cooperative

That points much more towards assessment and information gathering, not a Child Protection Plan.

Regarding a Child Protection Conference (CPC):
A CPC does not automatically happen because there is a Section 47 enquiry. It only happens if social services believe the threshold for significant harm may be met. If they were planning one, they should tell you clearly, explain the reasons, and give you formal notice and reports in advance.

The fact they haven’t mentioned a conference yet suggests this is still fact-finding, not a decision.

If you want clarity and to protect yourself, it’s completely reasonable to ask them to put things in writing. Below is a draft email you can send if you wish.

You don’t have to send it today, and you don’t have to change the wording if you don’t want to , but it clearly sets boundaries and asks the right questions.

Draft email you can copy and send
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Subject: Request for clarity regarding assessment and next steps

Dear [Social Worker’s name] and [Team Manager’s name],

Thank you for your visit today and for explaining that enquiries are ongoing and delayed due to the Christmas period.

I am writing to ask for some clarity following our conversation, particularly regarding the mention of a possible Child Protection Plan for my son.

I understand that my partner has a child subject to a Child Protection Plan in a different local authority. However, I would like to understand how this is being considered in relation to my son specifically.

As far as I am aware:

There have been no concerns raised about my parenting

No concerns about my home environment

No allegations or evidence that my partner poses a risk to my child

I have engaged openly and cooperatively throughout

I understand that historic or contextual information can be considered, but I would appreciate clarification on what specific risks are believed to apply to my child, and what evidence is being relied upon.

Could you please also confirm:

Whether a Child Protection Conference is being proposed at this stage, or whether this remains an assessment only.

If a conference is being considered, the specific threshold concerns and timescales.

What the current plan is while enquiries are ongoing.

I remain committed to working cooperatively and transparently, and I would appreciate clear communication so I can be fully informed and prepared.

Kind regards,
[Your name]
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You’re doing the right things, staying calm, engaging, and asking sensible questions. Nothing you’ve described suggests your child “needs” a CPP, and it’s okay to say that respectfully.

If anything changes or you get a response you don’t understand, post back.

[Mummyof1x]

Thank you so much for replying again and sorry for asking so many questions I’m just trying to get as much advice as I can regarding all of this as I’m new to it

They haven’t mentioned a child protection conference or anything like that they just said they are getting further enquiries by getting in contact with the other social workers, my sons childminder and his dad which they still remain to do so. They want to confirm my partner has been in touch with the agencies we have mentioned (which he has) both starting in 2 weeks, this should hopefully be seen as a positive to them that he is starting and engaging with these already. They honestly haven’t told me any risks so far towards my son apart from my partner doesn’t look good on ‘paper’ which he admitted it doesnt look great however it’s also allegations. Once I get a response to the email I send I shall reply back if I have any more questions; thank you again!

[Winter25]

Hi Mummyof1x,

Please don’t apologise at all. You are absolutely entitled to ask as many questions as you need, especially when this is your first experience of social services. Nobody expects you to just “know” how this works.

From what you’ve said here, everything still sounds like information-gathering, not decision-making. The fact they are checking with the childminder, dad, and other professionals is standard practice, and the fact your partner has already engaged with support and has courses starting soon is a positive. Early engagement is usually viewed as protective, not risky.

You’re also right to note that “it doesn’t look great on paper” is not the same thing as evidence of risk to your son. Allegations, historic concerns, or issues in a completely separate household still have to be clearly linked to your child to justify escalation. So far, they haven’t identified any actual risks, and that matters.

It’s also reassuring that they haven’t mentioned a child protection conference. If they were moving in that direction, they would usually be clearer about concerns and next steps. Right now, it sounds like they’re checking facts before deciding anything, which is exactly what they should be doing.

You’re handling this really well: you’re open, cooperative, and thoughtful, but you’re also paying attention and asking sensible questions. That’s not a bad thing, it’s good parenting.

Do keep doing what you’re doing, and yes, absolutely come back and ask more if anything doesn’t sit right or if the tone changes. You’re allowed to understand what’s happening with your own child.
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For transparency: I’m not an adviser on this forum. I’m a parent with lived experience of children’s services involvement, sharing peer support and information based on that experience. Every parent should decide what is right for their own situation.

[Mummyof1x]

I’m so sorry! Actually I should’ve asked this first not sure if you know much about this!

My social worker told me today that my partner has struggle understanding the process of social services (he does he has ADHD) and struggles with reading, writing and understanding complex information so with the PLO for his daughter and now this with my son he’s obviously a bit confused as it’s a lot of big words for him which he doesn’t understand! She said he would benefit from an advocate but to make sure it’s an independent one, I’ve never heard of this my social are the first to tell us anything about this.. if I did get him an independent advocate this won’t be used against him or his parenting will it due to his lack of understanding?

Thanks!

[Winter25]

Hi Mummyof1x,

Please don’t apologise , these are really sensible questions, especially when things are being explained in a way that isn’t accessible.

An independent advocate is actually a positive thing, not a negative. It will not be used against your partner, and it does not reflect badly on his parenting at all. In fact, it often shows insight and responsibility.

Advocates exist to help people understand processes, meetings and paperwork, and to make sure their views are properly heard. They don’t assess parenting, they don’t report on risk, and they don’t make judgments. Their role is simply to support communication and understanding.

Having ADHD, or difficulties with reading and understanding complex information, is not a safeguarding issue in itself. Social services are legally required to make reasonable adjustments so people can participate fairly, and an advocate is one of those adjustments. It helps level the playing field.

It’s also important that the advocate is independent, as the social worker said. That means they work for your partner, not for social services. Their job is to explain things in plain language, help him prepare for meetings, and make sure he isn’t agreeing to things he doesn’t fully understand.

Using an advocate cannot be held against him. If anything, it reduces the risk of misunderstandings and shows he’s taking the process seriously and wants to engage properly.

You’re both doing the right thing by asking questions and trying to understand what’s going on. That’s exactly what advocates are there for.
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For transparency: I’m not an adviser on this forum. I’m a parent with lived experience of children’s services involvement, sharing peer support and information based on that experience. Each parent should decide what’s right for their own situation.