[Solved] Help Needed!

Hi, new to here, i was just looking for some guidance on my rights if possible. It's Saturday and everywhere's shut!

So a tricky one, i'll try and keep it short and sweet.

Our 6 year old daughter lives with her on the Isle-Of-Wight. She moved away last year, I had no choice in the matter. Since then i've commuted every month without fail down there from the North West to see our daughter.

We've had our problems (including her stopping access for no reason for 8 months) but we're straight now and have a reasonably good relationship. I have a partner, so has she.

A couple of weeks ago she told me she had to go into hospital, something wrong with her stomach. No problem. She asked if her boyfriend (short term, a couple of months) could look after our daughter. Respect for asking, no problem, I like the guy. It's only short term.

Last week. He phones me up. My ex has been sectioned. Seems there's nothing wrong with her, unbeknown to me her behaviour has become increasing instable for the last couple of months. He made the call, he had her sectioned. Oh man.

I slept on it. Didn't know if I should go collect my daughter? I kept in contact with him as he said he'd keep me updated. He told me the Social services had opened a file on my daughter, so I gave them a call. They couldn't tell me anything except my daughter is being cared for by my ex's partner, I already know this! Although i'm her dad, on the birth certificate, parental responsibility etc, All they could do was give me hospital's number.

So I call the hospital. They can't tell me anything. I'm being passed about here, all i ant is my rights. I don't want to go and get my daughter without going through the right channels. So the hospital tell me if my ex will speak to me, can i call back at 8. She agrees to this, although it's not why i phoned. SO i call her back at 8..

She tells me she's fine, she hasn't been sectioned at all and she's getting out today (saturday). What???? I tell her i was going to suggest coming to pick up my daughter. Until she's better, I reiterated to her i wasn't taking her off her, just until she's better. Oh no, she's fine, she's out saturday. In fact she came home the other night to see her, but had to go back in.

Anyway, today, I came down to see my daughter and have a chat with her boyfriend. He tells me....she WAS sectioned, he made the call. She's in voluntarily, but if she tries leaving they'll bring her back in. And when she came home the other night? She ESCAPED. Got in a taxi, went home, he had to pay for the taxi, and they took her back in.

I get on alright with him so we carried on our chat. Turns out she's been getting worse for the last couple of months. In fact, he told me they actually seperated a month ago, and he has told the doctors this too. So my ex's ex is actually looking after our daughter! He told me he's trying to get her to sign over parental responsibility to him. Can that happen? I don't want that!

I told him I was going to suggest to her picking up my daughter if it's long term. He said "it's well within your rights".
This is what I want to know!!! Is it? I'm currently with her now. She's staying overnight with me. I have discussed with my partner, colleagues, friends what I should do. "go get her" is the usual answer! I just don't want to break any rules or red tape and end up with it going against me, if she screams kidnap or anything.

So the question. Can I take my daughter home? He is on record with the social services as the one caring for her while the ex is in hospital. But if one parent is unfit to care, and the other is, can I just take her home or do I need to contact social services. Of course i'll contact the boyfriend, won't just run away. I'm stuck! Please help!

Thanks for any help you can give.
Simon.