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Spurgeons and Dad.Info doesn’t investigate reports of abuse or neglect. But below, you can find advice on who to contact if you have concerns about a child or young person.
Reporting a concern
It can be difficult to know what to do if you think a child is at risk. It’s important to remember that if you’ve spotted things that don’t seem right, others will have too. Speaking up can make sure that child gets help as soon as possible.
The sooner you contact your local children’s social care duty team, the quicker they can act. They’re available 24 hours a day, and can make an anonymous report if that feels safer. If a child is in immediate danger, please call the police straight away by dialling 999.
Report child abuse or neglect to your local council
Use these links to get in touch with your local council:
OK so the last post I made was about my ex letting drugs letting drugs being sold at her home what my daughter stays at 5 days a week (stays with me Monday to Friday) I was seeking advice about should I tell the police well I did not need to someone already did her house was raided yesterday morning my ex went to her mums with my daughter then sent her to school this morning social services has been informed about her situation I picked her up from school as normal there is no front door at her property till Monday so asked me to keep her till then
So basically I'm asking where do I stand in not sending her back at all her family want me to have her I want to have her but I'm confused as I don't know the in's and outs
I also phoned 101 none emergency police saying I don't want to send her back (said they will get back to me once they checked a few thibgs) this was 2hours ago
I just need some help I'm really stuck here please help me
If you don't want to send her back, you will need to fill out a C100 and apply for a without notice hearing and take the forms to court first thing Monday morning, you should get a hearing within 48 hours.
If there is a court order in place stating the mum lives with the child, she could ask for her back before then although she's asked you to keep her the weekend due to the lack of front door.....
Thanks for the reply I appreciate it there is no court order in place it's just a verbal agreement and we both have PR it's just a shame on my little girl it's just before Christmas as well it's hard to hurt your baby and baby's mother but it's the right thing to do I'm just trying to look out for my little girl I'm far from the best father in the world but I can try my god dam best to give that little girl some hope and stability
My head was all over the place yesterday her father and sister know it's for the best that I have her and her mum is just defending her and won't admit it's for the best .
I told her what's happening as I phoned the nspcc for advice they told me I should keep her till I hear from child services
I also asked her to come for a brew today to have a chat and sit down and lay everything on a plate of she doesn't come then i don't know what to do
The pain I felt yesterday telling my daughter she's staying here for a while and telling my daughters mother that it's in her best interest for my daughter to stay with me if that's short or long term I don't Know all will unfold.
I'm just trying to be a good father but it's killing me what I have to say and do
Hi there
It's important you put your child first, which you are doing. If you have PR and there is no court order in place then you are within your rights to keep her, you have equal rights to the mother in this case. Theres some confusion about this, we wouldn't ordinarily advise a dad to keep hold of a child, where there were no serious safeguarding issues, the police in this case may return the child and it would cause a whole heap of trouble for the dad seeing his child. However when there are serious risks and the police are involved, they would support the dad in keeping the child...this is what happened to my son and his child when drugs and neglect were involved.
It was a good idea to speak to the police, I'm pretty sure they will tell you that you are within your rights to keep your daughter because of safeguarding concerns, hopefully they will call you back soon.
To make sure that the child can't be snatched back, it's best to do as Yoda suggests and apply for an urgent, no notice application, either a prohibited steps order or a child arrangements order for residence.
You should also fill out form C1a to tell the court about the risks to your child.
Best of luck with it, you know where we are if you need further help.