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Hello, we desperately need some help in dealing with social services, cannot afford a solicitor, and are not on benefits, things are going from worse to worse, and we really don't know where to turn. Is there any where we can go for help please. I have been trawling the internet with no luck.
I am trying to get some advice for my partner, He has a daughter lives with mother, and a son who lived with him. two different mothers. 2yrs ago the daughters mother accused, my partners son of molesting his sister, the claims were unfounded, and it seemed the mother was trying to make her daughter lie. My partner has not seen his daughter since. We tried to see her earlier this year, which the mother allowed, but she made it so difficult and stressed my partners daughter so much that we have not approached her again, but she obviously wants to see her father.
Later in 2010 My partners son accused my partner of physical abuse, My partner is strict, but not abusive. He has now been in social services care, since the beginning of 2011. This boy was a very good child he was doing g.c.s.e.s early and taking on certain responsibilities in school..a star pupil, but the lure of his friends who were already in care, and wanting to do things he was not allowed, he made the allegations against his father. He now smokes drugs, drinks alcohol, keeps getting arrested, he' s been through many foster homes and is now in a children's home, The social services have not protected or kept him safe, they took him out of a stable home where he was protected and not exposed to these things, the school was not informing my partner, of any thing concerning and the social services have made no attempts to arrange any form of contact or reconciliation. My partner has been completely cut out of his son's life. My stepson is now 15 we have seen him about 3 times in the last 2 years. This has completely destroyed my partner, unable to see both his children, hence me on here and not him.
The social services have treated us with contempt and it has become impossible to communicate with them among many other things. We know we probably have grounds to go to court, but with a bad financial situation, it seems impossible, is there possibly an organisation which could help at all please?
Hi there and welcome 🙂
What a terrible burden for your partner to bear, my heart goes out to you both.
Social Services are a law unto themselves and it sounds to me that they have failed your partner and his son badly.
My advice to you would be to write everything down in chronological order, and then go and see your local MP. They usually run a surgery weekly/fortnightly so all you need to do is to telephone and make an appointment. MPs are fully aware of the shortcomings of goverment agencies and Social Services have been in the spotlight nationally for their failings for not looking after the children in care.
The MP will listen to your case and he will investigate it...when an MP becomes involved these people tend to sit up and listen. I have turned to my MP on a couple of occasions when I had nowhere else to turn, and he was able sort it all out. There are members on here that have involved their MPs too, to very good effect.
Good luck with everything and do let us know how you get on 🙂
Hi Robra
I'll ask the Family Rights Group if they can pop on and give any advice, so hang in there.
Dear Robra,
I am an adviser from Family Rights Group. We are independent from children services (social services) and specialise in giving advice to families about the law and procedure about children services. Actd has referred your post to me.
Daughter
I understand that your partner has not had much contact with his daughter who lives with mother. Originally, his daughter made an allegation against his son who is now in the care of the local authority. So, does mother now see your partners home as safe? I can understand that the length of time and the fact that Mum has made contact difficult has put your partner off pursuing contact. However, for his daughter’s sake, it may be worth thinking again about setting up contact. Look at the corum children’s legal centre website-they have lots of information about how to arrange contact with children. They post on this forum. It may also be worth your partner exploring mediation as a way forwardfamily mediation. Or if he wants to find a solicitor he could have a look at resolution They have an online advice centre that may be able to help with the issues about contact.
15 year old son
I understand that your step-son has been in the care of the local authority since the beginning of 2011 and he is now 15 years old. Your partner has had very little contact with him and is not being kept informed about his sons care.
The local authority have certain duties to children in the care system-please have a look at our advice sheet
duties to children in the care system
In respect of all children who are in the care system-the local authority must “promote” contact between the child and his parents, relatives and other people connected to the child-unless it is not in the child’s welfare to do so. This means to take positive steps to arrange contact between your partner and his son. Unless it is against the child’s welfare.
In addition, if your step son is under a “care order” (which will give the local authority parental responsibility to make decisions) the local authority must arrange reasonable contact-unless the court have made an order that the local authority can refuse contact. Please see pages 10 and 11 of the advice sheet.
The care plan (which sets out such things as contact with family members, where the child is living, his health and education) is reviewed in a meeting chaired by an independent reviewing officer (IRO).
Has your partner been to this review or if not has he spoken to the independent reviewing officer about contact with his son? If he has any concerns about his sons care and feels that the social worker is not sorting them out then he should get the telephone number of the IRO to discuss his concerns. Please see pages 12 to 17 of the advice sheet.
Although, the local authority should be promoting contact and consulting with your partner-this may be affected if your stepson does not want to see his dad and the local authority think he is old enough to make his own decisions. If this is the case, your partner would have been told.
I know, I have given you a lot of information. To discuss further, you may want to call our free and confidential helpline on 0808 801 0366. It is open from 9:30 to 3:30pm Monday to Friday.
Best wishes,
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