Thanks for joining us on the forum – glad to have you here. You are welcome to post 24/7 but please note that whilst we have forum moderators we will only be moderating the forum during office hours. If though you need urgent crisis help, please contact Samaritans on 116 123.
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:
Having a few issues with my ex wife. Basically we have a family based arrangement and she wants more money. I have asked for more access to my 12 year old child and I will then consider more money and don't think i'm being unreasonable. My son comes to my house every 2nd weekend staying only one night. I want him longer i.e. at least from the Friday night. What is the best advice anyone can give me?
She is threatening to go to the CSA which she did 9 years ago anyway before we settled on the family based arrangement. If she does she knows by letting me have my son for more time she will get less money but that is all she cares about?
Have you done a calculation of how much the CSA would expect you to pay if the claim was arranged through them?
Unfortunately the way the maintenance rules are set out discourages resident parents from agreeing more time. The only thing I can suggest is mediation to try and reach agreement, this is compulsory before any court application can be made.
If mediation fails then the mediator would be able to sign off the forms to enable an application to court for a Child Arrangements Order for contact. As your son is twelve his wishes and feelings would carry a lot of weight.
Here's a link to the mediation service
www.nfm.org.uk