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Hi, another post from me.
What's everyone's experiences with social services? I'm severely disappointed in them in regards to my experience. I have made several reports over the past couple of years and nothing has been done, they have mentioned several outcomes to me in the past such as a caf, signposting, classes etc, all of which never happened so I'm a little confused. (reports of neglect, physical abuse, all with evidence to support)
Is it because I raised these allegations against their mother? I feel as though if roles were reversed they would have come down on me like a sack of bricks.
Also while I've got you here reading this. I've recently had my first directions meeting and the court has ordered a section 7, what can I expect from this? Will they come to my house, ask me questions, do I submit any evidence to them (not to say my ex is a bad parent, but prove I'm a good one) I'm really anxious about doing this right but I don't want to go in blind.
Thanks for any help!
hi,
I don't have much experience with dealing with social/children's services.
the section 7 process usually takes 10-12 weeks. pre-covid they would visit your house, or would invite you to their office for an interview. I think they will just have a phone call with you instead because of current situation. They will ask you what kind of arrangement your looking to have with kids. they will likely ask you to respond to some allegations your ex made. You should complete the cafcass parenting plan and mention it during your interview. It's useful and also shows that your child-focused:
https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/divorce-and-separation/parenting-plan/
you should focus on remaining calm and child-focused during interview. cafcass do not like hostility between parents as usually it has a knock-on effect on the kids. The courts will 99% go along with whatever recommendation cafcass make about the childrens arrangements. ask for as much contact as possible.
I would stop ringing social services as they wont do anything especially if you are complaining about mum.
They will only act if your child is in immediate danger and at risk of serious harm. Also whilst you ring them and they are not doing anything this can work against you and make your ex even more hostile. You are right that if your ex was complaining about you they would possibly be more inclined to act .
Also like bill said a s7 report is your time to talk about your children and tell them how much kids need both parents and what contact you would like. Dont say anything bad about their mum or mention you rung social services as cases been closed. U dont want Cafcass turning on you . You could even say you are interested in there separated parenting programme and how important it is to co - parent etc as that will look good in court. They like dads that are child focused and try to co-parent no matter how bad ex is
I had already planned to not talk negatively about the ex and more focus on my positives and the good impact I have on the children. I want a good coparenting relationship and have already proposed the idea of a communication schedule app to my ex (a suggestion I seen on here). It's all a waiting game isn't it.
Bit annoying with all this covid and everything being over the phone as although it's less nerve racking, I don't feel you can really get a proper impression of a person just from a phone call but it'll have to do won't it.
. Next court date is set for July so a long time for everything to come together.
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