Removed from family home by Police & Children Services

[heartbrokenfather]

Hello There.

I am not sure where I should post this so please feel free to move it to where ever is best suited.

My family has found ourselves in a nightmare situation with the police and children services.

My wife and I have been married for almost 11 years, and together for 3 years before getting married.

Together we have 5 children in total, ranging from 3 to 13 years old.

Around 7pm on Friday the 29th Nov 2013, There was a knock at the door of the family home.
When answered I was confronted by a male police officer (detective constable), and I believe it was two female social workers.

At this point in time my wife was out with two of our five children at their school class disco's, (E) (age9) & J (age10).
I was at home looking after (A) (age3) & (D) (age7), (A) was asleep in his room, and (D) was playing games on the laptop in the front room.
Stepson (R) (age13) the eldest was at his fathers for the weekend (Fri-Sun).

When I asked the reason for their visit, the DC would not give me a direct answer only that is was due to the welfare of the children.

I was then requested by the DC to contact my wife to return home.
So I did as requested and phoned my wife, she was at her friends house with (E) waiting for (J) class school disco to finish, I informed her that we had a DC and Two social workers at our home, my wife asked her friend to look after (E) and returned home by herself.

Shortly after my wife arriving back home the DC asked if I would remove myself from the family home.
This I objected to, and was swiftly told that if I did not willing remove myself from the family home that I would be arrested and would be in a police cell for at least the night.

After firm talking with the DC to try and gain more details on what is going on with the visit the DC made it very clear that he was not going to provide me with any more details and if I carried on he would arrest me.

The DC did say that he would try and get matters sorted as quick as possible that I should be able to return home the following day.

I then complied with the DC's orders, got changed, I gave (D) a kiss and hug before I left, and also gave my wife a kiss and hug, she said that she would call or text me later on with regards to what’s going on. and left the family home, With only the clothes I was wearing, and no money.

The DC advised me not to return back to the Family home until after he had contacted me.

My wife never did Call or Text me, and from that point stopped responding to any of my Calls Or Texts.

I am currently homeless, sleeping in the back of my car, and sofa surfing at friends and family houses.

I did not hear again from the DC unto Sat 30th Nov 2013, Where he requested that I come to the police station on Sun 1st Dec to be Interviewed under caution.

At the police station, I was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, and asked if I wanted a solicitor, I replied yes, and I was appointed a duty solicitor.

Just before the interview started I was informed that my wife & our children did no longer want me returning to the family home again.

Friday night my wife and I was planning for us to have a romantic meal once all the children where all in bed and asleep.

So something drastically then happened to go from wanting a romantic meal to no longer wanting me to return to the family home.

I was interviewed by the DC, and told do not return to the family home, and not to make direct or indirect contact with my wife or any of our children.

I was told to hand over any spare keys for the family home, and keys for my wife's car.

I was then released on unconditional bail to return to the police station on 8th Jan 2014.

As I am barred from going to the family home or making contact I have no way of gaining access to any money, as all of our benefits are paid into my wife's bank account.

As said above with my wife wanting a Romantic Meal and then within a few hours/days wanting to end our almost 11 Year marriage (13 Year relationship) and deny me access to the family home, I feel that the DC and or Social workers have been threatening my wife or putting words in her mouth.

I did send a few text messages to my wife's mobile just saying that no matter what I want to do anything I can to make our marriage work, and a short time later had a phone call from a local police officer, Telling me not to make any contact with my wife or any of our children.

The officer also did say that if my wife was to make contact with me, or if I was to turn up at our family home, that social services (children services) would remove the children.

I was able to have supervised contact with all five of the children at the local children's center for an hour and a half on the 19/12/2013.

On the 06/01/2014 was held a Child Protection Conference, My wife and I was told we was not aloud to be in the conference at the same time or even have contact/see each other. I arrived 15 minutes early for the conference. There is no reception as such for children's services, Just that in the children's services waiting/sitting area is a single phone that you contact children's services. I used the phoned and informed the person on the other end why I was there. And that they would contact the relevant people, an hour later I had still not heard from anyone, not even someone to hello sorry we are running late or anything. So I picked up the phone again and said to the person on the other end, that I was here early for my a pointed time as stated, that was 45 minutes ago and I am still waiting. I was then told again that they would contact the relevant people. It was another 35 minutes before anyone came and saw me to tell me it was my turn for the conference. So I had been waiting 1h 35m, Just to be seen.
The conference for me last just under 15 minutes, In this time all the people in the room introduced themselves, I was then told a very quick brief of what has been said, and was told that a decision had been made to place all 5 children on the child protection register.
Everything has already been discussed and finalized before I had even stepped in the room. and as such I was not able to given the opportunity to voice my opinion.

On the 08/01/2014 I had to return to the police station for my bail, where I was re-interviewed again, and once again released without being charged on unconditional bail to return to the police station on 05/03/2014, but not before I had to hand over my mobile phone to the police.

My mobile was my life line to the outside world, and the only direct way of being able to contact or be contacted by the police, children services, solicitors, etc. It also holds all my upcoming appointments. access to emails and the internet. and pictures of my family.

Without being able to speak to my wife, I feel that the police & services (children services) have backed my wife into a dark corner and forcing her into doing things she may not want to do otherwise they would remove our children.

I do know that my wife does find social services (children services) and the police very intimidating.

I fully understand that the police and social services (children services) have a duty to look after welfare of the children that they think are at risk.

I do not see how any of this is benefiting the welfare of the children, my wife, or myself, especially over christmas.

Surely there would of been better ways of handling this.

Now I am not saying that I am the perfect father or husband, But I try the best that I can be.

I am more then happy and willing to work with the police and social services (children services) with any of there concerns, and to resolve any issues.

All I want is for us to all be one family, like we was before all this started.

At the time of posting this thread. It’s now been 48 Days since I was removed from my family, and since I was last able to see my wife, and 28 Days since I last had contact with the children.

Our daughter who is aged 9, is currently being treated for: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Oppositional defiant disorder, Tourette syndrome, requiring regular appointments at our local hospital.

Our youngest son who is aged 3, is currently being treated for: Meckel's diverticulum, Short bowel syndrome, Fecal incontinence, requiring regular appointments at another hospital with a minimum 2 hour travel each way.

UPDATE 17/02/2014
I have been going over the child protection conference minutes, and there are endless errors, spelling mistakes, incorrect names, dates, places, etc.
The story keeps changing, and even in places directly contradicts itself.
I just don't know where to start with things.

One thing I know for sure is that the police and or children's services do not think highly of me at all.

Here are just a few of the quotes I have picked up on.

Mr -------- is currently struggling to understand the reason for the current investigation by Social care and Police.

Mr -------- failure to recognise the severity of the current situation

Mr -------- lack of positive engagement with services at present

I remain unclear as to whether Mr -------- misuses alcohol or other substances

During the first visit to the house with the Police there was a lingering smell of Cannabis

There are also concerns about Mr -------- due to alleged domestic abuse

I can see where the police and or children's services are going to try and go with this, and I don't like it one bit.

It seems that the police and or children's services are going to try painting me off as some kind of drunk druggy that beats his wife and or children around.

I have never done drugs in my life, nor would I want to or start to.
I do drink alcohol, But I do not class having a can of fosters with my Sunday roast, or the odd occasional can of beer while I am out in my shed to be a problem.
I have never hit my wife and or any of the children.

It there anyway that I can prove to the police and or children's services that I do not do drugs, and I do not drink much alcohol?

And I could really do with some advice on how to handle things.

UPDATE: 18/02/2014
Yesterday I sent an email request to my local council regarding records held by children's services under the Data Protection Act, and also sent the request via post by recorded mail.

This morning I received an email from my local council. They don't seem to be messing about.

Thank you for your request for personal information that relates to yourself and your children as named above that was received on 17 February and your letter received today.
The council will process your request in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
This is known as a subject access request.

Before we can proceed with your subject access request I would advise that the -------- Council charges a standard fee of £10 per person for all requests for personal information under the Data Protection Act. Please send a cheque for £60, made payable to the -------- Council, to me at the above address. On receipt of this fee we will be able to proceed with your request.

In the interests of security and to protect people’s privacy the council will require proof of your identity. Please therefore arrange for a copy of your passport or photographic driving licence to be sent to the above address, together with a bill or bank statement to confirm your address. Alternatively you may bring the documents to -------- to be inspected by myself or a colleague.

As -------- is aged over 12 we will also require his ID and signed letter giving his consent for us to access his records.

Please note that, in accordance with the Act, your request may take up to 40 calendar days from the day after we receive your ID and fee.

Please contact me again if you are unsure about any of the above or require any further assistance on this matter.

As I can not make contact with my Wife and or Children. I now have to go around all the houses to be able to get the eldest child's written consent.
I have contacted my solicitor, who will in-turn contact my wife's solicitor and then contact my wife, and then ask the eldest for his written consent, etc.

UPDATE: 19/02/2014
I have had very little interaction with children's services, When ever I try to contact them I just get told the person I need to deal with is on holiday, out of the office, in a meeting, etc. and that someone will get back to me. Both the police and children's services know where I am as I can't go home to my family, I know they are going to use the excuse of not being about to contact me due to the police taking my mobile phone, but once again both the police and children's services have been given my parents home number, and have been told they can leave messages on this number, But they fail to do so.

Since the 29/11/2013 when this all kicked off I have had direct contact with children's services a total of 4 times.
approx 10 minute meeting with children's services at there office.
approx 20 minute visit at my parents home.
approx 15 minute at the child protection conference.
approx 30 minute meeting at the contact centre.

So since the 29/11/2013 children's services have spent a total of approx 1h:15m with me.

In this time no one has brought up the subject of drugs and or alcohol misuse, nor have they offered or suggested any type of drug and or alcohol testing, parenting classes, anger management, marriage counseling, etc.

I have requested a copy of children's services guidelines and procedures on many occasions, and as of yet I am still to receive a copy.

UPDATE: 26/02/2014
I had contact with all 5 children again on Monday (24/02/2014) at the contact centre.
The two supervisors for contact that are transporting the children to and from contact where once again late with the children, so the children's time was less then it should of been.
But otherwise contact with the children went well again, and all the children enjoyed seeing me and interacting with me.
All of the children once again asked me if they can see me more or phone me, and also asked when I can come back home.
My daughter handed me some hand written letters, and it was very hard for me to hide my emotions as I read her letters. saying how much she misses me, how much she loves me, and that she wants me to come home.
It's so heart braking when the children are begging for you to come home, and you just have to stand there and say you can't.
All the children said they where looking forward to seeing me again in two weeks time.

I also contacted my local council and requested email, postal address, and phone number for the person who chaired the Child Protection Conference.
I got the details I requested from the council within half an hour, and emailed the chair person to inform them that I had found errors within the Child Protection Conference minutes, and that they would be receiving a full copy shortly.
As of yet I have not had a reply to that email.

I have been going over the Child Protection Conference Minutes again. and something that has come to my attention while reading is that it states that the Core Group Meetings should take place at least 6 weekly.
In the Child Protection Conference Minutes the last Core Group Meeting was listed as being on Tuesday 14/01/2014, that would be 6 weeks yesterday.
I was not invited to the last Core Group Meeting, And I have not been informed and or invited about any upcoming Core Group Meeting.

UPDATE: 01/03/2014
We are now on day 92 since this all started.

In this time I have had very little contact with the children, but at least it now seems that regular contact with the children has been setup.

In the last 3 months (quarter of a year) I have been refused to have any kind of contact with my wife.
Now I keep getting told different things to why I can't have any contact at all with my wife. This ranges from my wife and children not wanting me to return home, or have contact with me, to being in witness protection, to interference with witnesses, the list keeps on changing.
Each time I have had contact with the children they have requested me to come home or asked me when can I come back home.

As I am still not getting anywhere with Children's Services, On Thursday 27/02/2014 I emailed my local council requesting Children's Services - Guidelines and Procedures.
Yesterday I received an email back saying.

Dear Mr --------

We have received your request for copies of the above. Could you please advise provide us with a little more clarification as to what it is you require i.e. the area of Children’s Services that you are seeking the information for?

Many thanks

I am not sure how to respond or what to request, can anyone please advice?

I have been advised to start recording any phone calls from the police and children's services. But I want to stay within the law so I have been trying to do some research on the subject.

I have been reading some of the FAQ’s on Ofcom / Oftel web site regarding recording phone calls.
Recording and monitoring telephone calls or e-mails.

Can I record telephone conversations on my home phone?
Yes. The relevant law, RIPA, does not prohibit individuals from recording their own communications provided that the recording is for their own use. Recording or monitoring are only prohibited where some of the contents of the communication - which can be a phone conversation or an e-mail - are made available to a third party, ie someone who was neither the caller or sender nor the intended recipient of the original communication. For further information see the Home Office website where RIPA is posted.

Do I have to let people know that I intend to record their telephone conversations with me?
No, provided you are not intending to make the contents of the communication available to a third party. If you are you will need the consent of the person you are recording.

So from reading the above it seems that I am within my rights to record all phone calls.

UPDATE: 03/03/2014
I have received post from my local MP today, with replies from both the police and children's services.
As expected my local MP can not really do much to intervene while there is an ongoing investigation.
But at least he has been able to get more from both the police and children's services then I have been able to.

Quote from the Local MP Letter.

Dear Mr --------,

Further to your recent correspondence to me regarding your concerns about the actions of Children's Services and the Police, I raised your case with the agencies involved.

As a result I enclose two responses, one from DI -------- -------- from the Public Protection Department at -------- Police Station and one from -------- --------, Director of Children's Services from the -------- Council.

I hope you will find Mr -------- and DI -------- response helpful in clarifying the circumstances which led to the action and response of Children's Services and the Police on the night of 29th November 2013.
I am sure you will understand that I am unable to intervene with an investigation being undertaken by the Police or Children's Services because these must be conducted independently.
If you feel either letter contains any major errors or that I can be of any future help, please do let me know.
I am enclosing a card containing my contact details; please do pass this on to anyone you feel I may be able to help on any matter.
My office is open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm.

Yours sincerely,

Quote from the Public Protection Department Letter.

I am writing in response to your letter dated --/--/---- relating to one of your constituents, -------- --------.
Your letter was sent to Superintendent -------- raising some issues regarding a criminal investigation and seeks clarification in a form that can be disseminated onto Mr --------.
I have been nominated to look into this matter on behalf of the Mr --------.

The investigation originates from disclosures made on Friday 29th November 2013.
I must state that there is still a live criminal investigation and it is not my intention to discuss any of the evidential matters involved.
Hopefully, I will be able to better inform on general procedural matters and comment on specific actions taken by Police in relation to Mr --------.

The overarching priority in any investigation into alleged criminal offences relating to children, is the immediate safety and welfare of any child identified as being potentially at risk of harm.
This principle is at the heart of decision making by Police and partner agencies involved in disclosures of a child at risk.
In this specific case, Police worked alongside Child Social Services.

I am of the opinion that in this particular investigation, the decision not to immediately detain Mr -------- meant that the time he actually spent in custody was less than it would have been if he had been detained immediately.

With regards to Mr -------- not being given a full explanation as to why he was being asked to leave the property, I have spoken to the officer who attended, DC --------, and have reviewed what is recorded about his attendance on the Police computer system.
DC -------- records that he spoke with Mr -------- about concerns relating to information received and that we would be unhappy if he remained at the address.
lt was explained to Mr -------- that an investigation needed to take place but that due to the time of night and the children needing sleep, it was not in their best interests to proceed at that time.
lt was further explained to Mr -------- that ideally he should go to another address for the night and if he didn't, then consideration would be given to arresting him in order to immediately safeguard the children.

DC -------- further records his decision making rationale relating to the length of time Mr -------- would have to be in custody whilst further evidence was preserved and secured.

Mr -------- is correct when he states that a full explanation was not given but I would not expect this to be the case in this investigation or any other criminal investigation prior to the arrest of a suspect.

What Mr -------- was provided with was sufficient information to inform that there was need for a criminal investigation in relation to concerns relating to his children and that in order to provide appropriate safeguarding, consideration would be given to his immediate arrest.

With regards to being barred from the family home and from any contact with his wife or children, I have the following observations.
Firstly, it is my understanding that Mr -------- is not a named tenant on the council house tenancy.
Secondly, Mr -------- is currently on unconditional bail but would have been warned that any interference or intimidation with witnesses in the criminal investigation could make him liable to arrest for further offences.
Thirdly, Mr -------- is currently subject to supervised visits with his children who remain involved with Child Social Services.

I hope that the contents of this letter are able to clarify the actions of Police and Child services and reiterate that Mr -------- remains on bail in relation to neglect and abuse issues relating to his children.
Having reviewed the circumstances of Mr -------- particular investigation, I am of the opinion that appropriate and necessary actions nave been taken to preserve and secure evidence and safeguard children potentially at risk.

Quote from the Director Of Children's Services Letter.

Thank you for your letter dated --/--/---- sent on behalf of your constituent, Mr --------.

I will list some information with regards to the precipitating events that find Mr -------- currently separated from his family, the actions taken by Children's Services and future plans.

On the 29 November 2013 Children's Services and the Police undertook a joint child protection investigation, in regards to the five children of Mr and Mrs --------.
This is an unusual situation for most parents and it is easy to be confused or not fully understand what is happening, who takes decisions and the reasons why decisions are being made.
This seems to be the case for Mr -------- and therefore this is a good opportunity to clarify the situation:

• Children's Service Department have neither authority nor power to remove adults from a home.

• Our records show that during the child protection Investigation Mr -------- was told by the Police that as it was 7pm it was in the best interests of his children that they were not interviewed that evening.
Therefore Mr -------- was asked to leave, as the information given to Children Services and the Police was that Mr -------- potentially posed a risk to his children.
Mr -------- was given this information and asked to leave the address to allow the Police to interview the children the following day.
Mr -------- became resistant and was advised that if he did not agree to leave he would be arrested and removed from the property.
For more detail on this matter please see your separate correspondence with -------- Constabulary.

• lt was in the best interest of the children that they were not interviewed late into the night.
lt would not have been safe to allow Mr -------- to continue to stay in the household for a further night, given the alleged risk Mr -------- could potentially pose to his children, therefore the safest way to manage this was for the Police to ask Mr -------- to leave the property.

• Mr -------- was arrested that weekend and the investigation has been ongoing.

Following the investigation an initial child protection case conference was called with a unanimous decision for each of the children to become subject to a child protection plan.
The plan is specific on the matter of contact as decided by the conference chair.
lt was decided that Mr -------- would be able to have one supervised session of contact with his children each week.
However, this would need to be supervised by Children's Services contact supervisors.

The new case holder for the --------/-------- children is -------- --------, who undertook an introductory visit to Mrs -------- and each of the children earlier this week.
lt will be most helpful for Mr -------- to engage with Children's Services directly.
Mr -------- needs to be aware of the current limitations prescribed.
I expect these to be informed by outcomes from the ongoing Police investigation.
I am sure that Mr -------- will appreciate the support measures and boundaries currently in place to ensure his children's safety.

Mr -------- can make direct contact with -------- on ------ (ext ----) should he need any other belongings from the family home or for further clarification.
lt is encouraging to hear that Mr -------- has a supportive family and friends he can rely on during this period of waiting for an outcome.

Mr -------- is expected to engage with the child protection plan.
Assessment of his engagement, learning and insight gained will be factors that will influence any further decisions relating to the question of whether safe reintegration of Mr -------- to his family is in the children's best interest.
Children's Services will take legal advice should we become aware of Mr -------- visiting the family home or moving back in without prior approval by the multi-agency core group implementing the child protection plan.

Yours sincerely

UPDATE 28/04/2014
Today I had to appear at the Crown Court for preliminary hearing.
As said before I have been advised by my solicitors not to go into details regarding the on going court case, as this could damage the case. but I will give some details.
At court only two charges where read out, Not the three charges.
So it looks like there might be some kind of progress as it seems one of the charges have now been dropped.
Also the courts have now put bail conditions in place.
At first the courts where going to try and stop me having any contact at all with any of the 5 children, But my barrister was able to get this addressed and got it changed so that I would be able to have contact, but it must be supervised, and it must be held at a said contact centre.
As said before, Up to this point in time, I have had no bail conditions, court orders, or injections put into place, So I find it very strange that all a sudden that the courts have now put bail conditions in place 5 months down the line.
The trail is due to start some time in November, that's another 6 months away.
But the time the trial starts it will be very close to me being away from my family for a year, as I was removed from the family home on 29/11/2013.
As there are now bail conditions in place, there is no way I can return home to my family.

UPDATE 02/05/2014
Today I received a letter in the post from my criminal solicitor regarding the charges that was read out in court on the 28/04/2014.
On the 28/04/2014 at court only two charges was read out, but the letter from my criminal solicitor now states that there are indeed 3 charges not just the two that was read out in court, this is due to a computer error.

Just when I thought there might be some progress and starting to move forward with things, but now I just feel like someone has kicked me in the nuts.


As I don't know law, I don't know how to progress with things.

Can I please have your advice and thoughts?

Thanks for your time.

Best Regards.

[frustrated mum]

not an expert but that's horrid even though I don't know your full circumstances. good luck

[heartbrokenfather]

frustrated mum: Thanks for your reply.

It's now been 11 days (264) Hours without being able to see or speak to any of my family.

I still can't believe it all my self, going from being with my family to being up rooted without any kind of warning, It is tearing me apart inside, I feel sick all the time so I have not eating and I can't sleep, so my GP has now put me on antidepressants and sleeping pills.

My family means more then the world it's self, and I would do anything I could if it meant I could go back to them.

[Bitter Pill]

Hello, Heartbrokenfather.

I'm sorry your in such a mess.

It seems from what you've told us that procedures have not been followed by the services. Police or SS.

You are/have been in contact with the police but have you been in contact with children services? Are contact arrangements being made?

Thje method in which you were removed from your home with a view to not return, not even for belongings and money does not seem reasonable in the slightest.

Can I ask you for more details on the type of "cruelty" you are suspected of?

[heartbrokenfather]

Bitter Pill: Thanks for your reply.

The only paperwork I have had from the police is my Bail Record and Pre Interview Disclosure.
Since then only time I have heard from the police is when I have send e-mails or text's to my wife, to try and find out what is going on with our marriage, nothing to do with the ongoing police or Children Services investigation and that's only to have a go at me, and to warn me not to carry on.

I had heard nothing from Children Services, No phone calls or any paper work.
I had to chase Children Services to try and get a meeting in place, to try and find what is going on and when I can see my family.
I was given a date, and the morning of the meeting I was phoned, and they canceled and put the meeting back a day.
When the meeting did take place it lasted a whole 11 minutes.
During the whole meeting I was made to feel like a piece of muck on the bottom of her shoe.
She kept on saying that her and the police are in close contact and she knows I had been sending my wife e-mails and text's.
She then said something to do with my police bail notes, she said that is says in my bails notes, not to make any contact with my family.
Now I have read over the Bail Record, Pre Interview Disclosure and the letter from the
duty solicitor, and no point in any of the paper work does it say in black and white that I can not go home or contact my family, I have only been told verbally by the DC.
The only plus side of the meeting with children services is that she said she will be trying to setup some supervised contact, but will not take place at the family home, she did not say if I would be seeing one or more of the kids at any given time.

I have yet to be able to see or speak to any of my family.

The police and children services can do what ever investigations they want, All I want is to be able to return home to my family.

[Bitter Pill]

Have care proceedings been started? Do you have a solicitor acting for you?

From now on whenever you attend a meeting with SS record it on your phone or anything else you can. You are fully within your rights to do so. Tell them before the meeting begins that you are going to be recording the session so they know, some don't like it but can not do anything about it, it is in your best interests and for your own protection. Unfortunately you are about to come into contact with some of the most devious and incompetent people on the face of the earth and they WILL contradict themselves in the future so its best to keep your own records of any event involving ss and indeed the police.

If you haven't already you MUST start a journal. While it is fresh in your mind now you need to write up everything that has happened already and break it down into days and times. Once you have caught up keep updating it daily with ANY contact you have with ss and police no matter how irrelevant it may seem at the time.

I'm still troubled by the manner in which you have been separated by your family. If ss think a child is at risk then there are assessments and meeting to go through before any decision is made on what the best course of action may be. This is called a section 47.

If a child is thought to have suffered badly from physical or emotional harm then an emergency protection order will be made in which the child is removed from the family home and care proceedings started almost straight away. Even if it was thought that you were the perpetrator the child would still be removed because it would be suspected that the mother knew and therefore failed to protect the child.

So either what you have said is true and some dodgy copper has asked you to leave and not come back until told otherwise, which is incredibly un professional, or maybe (and please don't be offended) you feel you cannot divulge any details on the accusations you have received for fear of suffering poor judgement.

I have had terrible experiences with social workers and only want to help others who are experiencing the same. So if you tell me what you have told us is 100% then I'l take your word for it and suggest that you take immediate and aggressive legal action now, or, maybe give a bit more information on the back ground of the accusations in order to receive the correct advice.

Again, I'm not an expert but I have spent many days infront of a computer researching, e-mailing, phoning experts for advice. I will help as much as I can.

[heartbrokenfather]

Bitter Pill: Thanks again for your time and replies, it's nice to know that there are some people out there that are willing to try and help and or give advice.

Sorry for the delay in my reply, I have limited internet access, and have been finding things very hard, as it's now been two weeks without being to make any contact with my family, and I have never spent long times away from them.

I will try and answer your questions as best as I can.

I have no idea is care proceeding have been started, the 11 minute meeting with children services was kind of a blur with everything that was and still is going though my head, but I do not recall them saying about any care proceeding, most of the meeting was regarding me trying to have contact with my children, and was told that once things have been arranged regarding contact, that they would wright up a written agreement that I would have to sign.

Regarding a solicitor, I was apointed a duty solicitor when I was arrested at the police station, I have since asked another solicitor firm to take over the case, and I am just waiting for all the paper work to be transferred over.
Or do you mean I need to get another solicitor?

I have indeed now started a journal/diary.

As far as I know, all of the children are still with my wife at the family home.

I have still yet to receive any paper work from children services.

All the details I have given above is correct to the best of my memory.

[Bitter Pill]

Looks like SS are dragging their heels already. Big supprise

You did the right thing changing your solicitor from the one you were appointed. I assume that the new solicitor is handling the criminal side of things, you didn't say you were arrested in you're original post. Can you clarify if you were arrested, that usually would have happened at first contact or very shortly after. Or were you just interviewed under caution like you have mentioned, your rights are read out to you but you are free to leave at any time.

You need to find a family solicitor, one with a good rep and NOT one appointed to you by SS. SS will try and set you up with solicitor, that solicitor will not fight for you and will not act in your best interest. Look up *******, he owns a law firm and specialises in family law. He is well respected and would be my first port of call should I ever need a solicitor again.

You need to do that as soon as you can! SS are building their case against you right now. You will qualify for legal aid as you are the Father, unless the accusations revolve around your step son, if that's the case you can apply but I doubt you will be successful.

While you are waiting to see a solicitor once you have appointed one seek advice from CAB, they have experts that can advise you on what to do in the meantime.

Make sure you pester SS like mad. Call them everyday and ask for updates, also ask for copies of any documents they hold about you and your case. They are obliged to give you them and must do so within 40 days.

If you cannot secure the services of******company then make sure you get a law firm from outside your area. Solicitors are a tight knit group of people and they know each other's business. One week a solicitor can be working for a family the next week he's working for the local authority, too clicky in my eyes.....

Here's a link to ********

Please continue to update on here and talk about anything you feel like. I learned that bottling it up only makes it worse. I don't know you but know what your going through.

Edited by Suzie to remove information that breaches rule 9- a post is not to advertise and promote commercial products and services.

[blueplain]

This is a strange set of circumstances and looking at the information provided to me it is very likely that this course of events occurred. For only this path of logic makes sense

While your wife was out with a friend she, her friend or someone else must of called social services and reported a serious crime involving your children. I know this because social workers act immediately upon reports, if they had received information about a serious crime involving children then they do not waste any time. I also find it very suspicious that this report came at a time when your wife was away from the house with a friend. This seems to me that there is a possibility that your wife planed the trip to your friends as to not be there when she made the report. I come to this conclusion because your wife was away from the house at the time of the report and her strange behaviour and lack of effort to make any contact with you. Indeed it appears that she is actively reporting every message you have sent.

This then informs another thought process and brings two possibilities.

1. She been threatened by social services not to send a single message too you
2. She instigated the call and is completely adamant she wants nothing to do with you.

I now reflect upon the possible accusation given to you. I am also confused why you have not been told what you was charged and arrested for. They have to tell you this by law. Anyway you are either accused of physical, mental or sexual assault towards your children. Or it has been reported that you have a history of one of those crimes.

Now, because this was very sudden and unexpected your wife or someone else had come by information upon that date that stated that you have committed some form of abuse to your children. I come to that reasoning because she had no issues with you before this event. Therefore these possibilities are present.

1. Your children told your wife that you have committed a bad action towards them.
2. Your wife or someone witnessed you committing a crime in regards to the children, either by surveillance or dropping in on you without you noticing.
3. Some information was found by either your wife or someone else that showed evidence of you committing a crime towards your children suddenly.
4. Your wife or someone else is being malicious and made the accusation up to get rid of you out of their lives completely.
5. There is the possibility that you have been assaulting your wife and she finally reported the issue.
6. You have been abusing drugs and someone finnaly reported it.

That is the current possibilities giving the events you have described. I find the 4th possibility very disturbing because you would have to be a very hard cold person to separate your family from someone by this means. If number 4 occurred then you must of done something to really annoy either your wife or an outside source. Indeed if you are innocent can you think of any reason why someone would want to frame you just to get rid of you or for revenge? Also can you tell us if your wife was acting timid or suspiciously when she made a visit to her friends/disco?

I believe in innocent until proven guilty. If you truly have not committed any offence then I completely sympathise with you and I wish you all the luck in getting justice. If the opposite it true well that would be horrible. However please keep us updated and I wish you the best of luck,

[heartbrokenfather]

Bitter Pill: Thanks again for your time and reply.

The new solicitor is indeed handling the criminal side of things with regards to the police.
I am sure while I was at the police station arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, and then interviewed under caution, I have not yet been charged for anything, and I was then released on unconditional bailed.

blueplain: Thanks for your reply.

I understand your views on this matter, but I don't be-leave that my wife is behind what is going on.
We have had our up's and down's, but then I don't know anyone that has not.
My wife was acting normally leading up-to the visit.

I have never raised my hand to my wife.
I have never taken drugs.
I do enjoy a nice cold beer with my sunday roast.