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Good morning all,
Let me give some background before I go into my issue that I need advice on...
Me and my ex split up many years ago, I allowed her to have the children and I had them every weekend. Never had issues with contact, always paid my maintence towards my two girls- they are my children and I wanted to provide for them!
About two years ago one of my girls were hurt (punched) by either her mum or the "new b/f" social services were called and they were removed from her care to her mother for a couple of months whilst I sorted out a new home/work etc.
The case went to court and she was deemed unfit to care for them as the courts couldn't determine who assaulted her. (She was 18 months old at the time of being harmed)
The courts awarded me full custody of my girls with her having supervised contact, this was changed by me once she had proven to Social services that she had received all the help to get to where she needed to be.
She currently has them every other weekend, Friday night through to Sunday evening.
So I became a full time dad to my children, left my career of running pubs and gave them the full care and attention they so deserved, I mean who wouldn't! I had to move into the old family council home as my accommodation wasn't sufficient as it was a one bed flat. Bearing in mind this is where the assault on my daughter happened.
She suffers from nightmares saying this blokes name as she screams in her sleep, she is now 4yo. I have taken her to doctors, spoke to council and SS for advice, they agreed that the best thing was to move home. I am on the verge of this happening and the mother has today sent me a message telling me that she is going back to court to ask for her children back....
Bearing In mind that social services and th courts removed them from her, placing them into a safe environment with me. I have the schools and Ss telling me that their life's have improved for the better and that they are clearly happier.
I just don't know what to think, would she be able to just simply get them back just like that? I'd hope not as they are in a safe and stable environment with me. There are no concerns with regards to social services, they are no longer on the scene. Should I contact them and raise my concerns?
I would contact SS to let them know what is happening so they can be proactive if necessary. Courts generally don't change residency of children unless there are serious concerns for their welfare. On that basis, I would say you have little to fear from the courts, as they have already deemed her unsuitable in the past, and there are obviously no concerns with the children residing with you, and in addition, changing residency would uproot them from their friends and other aspects of a settled life.
I have phoned them today so that they are aware of what she is planning, they told me exactly what you have responded with, it was a shock to the system to have her say that and I was worried that it could happen.l, they said that they would be called to court and as there are no concerns in regards to safety etc of the children she wouldn't get far with it
It's bound to be worrying for you, but hopefully getting the same advice from two completely different sources will give you the confidence that it should go in your favour.
Hi There,
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I agree with actd as there are no concerns with them living with you and you have done so much to ensure that they are cared for then I can't see the courts moving them back to your ex's care.
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I can see why you would be concerned but just keep doing what you are doing and hopefully the judges with the advice from SS will keep them with you.
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Good luck and keep us posted.
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GTTS
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