Social services in bedrooms

OP, please ignore the silly advice some have given about not complying and the SS will
just ‘make stuff up because they have to put something in their report’. This is absolutely not true.

Given the nature of the assessment is related to contact with one parent I would find it very unlikely your child would be subject to a child in need plan at the end (which is only done with your consent and not as scary as it sounds anyway). But as I said, this outcome is probably unlikely (I say probably as obviously I don’t know all the details). Please don’t worry.

I’ve just given you all the options, sorry didn’t mean to worry you. Nobody can tell you what outcome there might be as we’ve not got all the information (I’m not asking for it).

Edited to add, the outcome isn’t totally dependent on you, hopefully DC’s other parent is engaging well and will follow recommendations too, but if they aren’t then that will also be considered.

People are just telling you what the possible outcomes are thats all. Have they been asked to do a s7 report?

They arnt and you can say no to adult bedrooms being checked

The outcome of an assessment can be either no further action, a step down to early help services, a child in need plan (consent based), or possibly for a child protection conference to be held where all agencies make a decision about whether a child protection plan is required (not consent based).

The outcome of the police investigation will be taken into account but generally once started an assessment is completed. Possible outcomes are dependent on what the allegations are, what strengths and protective factors are identified in the assessment, and if there are any other concerns or support needs, so nobody will be able to predict for you. It does sound like the social workers you have are being thorough. Do ask them to clarify or explain things though if you have questions.

If the police and s.s. drop their case but you're still concerned for your child's welfare, you can still take it to court as a civil case. So it's not the end of the road.

Social services investigations are child centered. The forms they use will be standardised so there are issues they cover which won't seem relevant, but are in the bigger picture.

I had a full section 7 report conducted on myself as part of my divorce.
I wish I’d pushed back a lot more because I followed the Mumsnet advice and had nothing to hide therefore nothing to fear and frankly they just make that shit up anyway whether you allow it or not.
If they start opening cupboards or fridges, ask them if they have a warrant ? That’s massively intrusive.
Just as an example of the social worker was very concerned about the fact that I had a small bathroom. What the actual fuck I could do about a small bathroom I do not know but it was made a lot smaller by the fact that she was the size of a small elephant.
You and I probably would’ve been fine in there as were myself and the children.
My point being you can’t win. If you placate them, they’ll just make crap up anyway because they have to put something in the reports.
If I could have my time again, I would’ve just opened the front door. Let them in and just stood by the front door said nothing and then slammed the door behind them.
Dont allow them to make you feel like shit with their commentary.

At present there is an allegation to of wrong doing in the household, if that is dropped, would SS continue on, as NFA from the police doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, it just means there was no evidence. I presume SS will take a more cautious approach?

The burden of proof for criminal proceedings is evidence beyond reasonable doubt, for civil processes like social work investigations the burden of proof is balance of probability, ie it’s more likely than not that X happened. So depending on the concern, social work would consider their own assessment and make decisions from there.

No, it was only my adopted child's bedroom that was checked on every visit, but all other rooms were checked once.

I doubt ss would be making arrangements to interview step sister who has no relationship with the father of the child. More likely to happen if there are signs/evidence of abuse not when the investigation starts. It's not about telling a story, its about facts as that's what the law demands. Social workers rightly gather information about individuals to learn about background, influences etc which helps them better support families but the only information presented in criminal courts is factual. Civil courts sre different but I won't go into that

But not in rooms of other adults living in the property?

It depends if ex husband is charged. If not and all investigating agencies are satisfied, then the case may be closed. However, as I'm not sure what he's accused of its hard to say. Very often, just to be thorough, social services will finish any investigation before they close the case. Normally when these decisions are made its in agreement with all other partner agencies involved. I wouldn't worry and even if ex is charged, investigation in your house will be well advanced by then and if there are any concerns, they will let you know.

If they are a part of the child’s life, they’re part of their story. I mean if the OP thinks it’s odd then that needs to be highlighted to the SS team, could be any number of reasons why the sw is looking into every aspect of the children’s lives.

Not if the people in the house aren't the subject of investigation.

SS would consider whether it was likely to have happened. Whether or not they continue to be involved would depend on whether whatever it was, was felt to impact the children.

Eg as much as people might disagree with this, a parent being involved in criminal activity away from the home that didn't 'come to the door' as it were, wouldn't require social work intervention. Whereas if there was criminal activity at the home that the children could get caught up in, or likelihood of repercussions etc, they're more likely to stay involved.

Hi OP. Even if the police NFA it, although SS will look at this, they will still continue with the child and family assessment and, as you said, be much more cautious. As social workers, we know that very often things have happened, even if the police cannot bring enough evidence to charge.

Good SS will need to take a look at the whole family life/lifestyle.
Just because the issue is at dads house doesn't mean there isn't something off at the usual home (not insinuating that there is @Ythough )

Social worker here @Ythough .
I can totally understand how this feels invasive and unnecessary, but honestly it is just a standard part of a full assessment. All parts of an assessment are carried out regardless of the circumstances (in this case the focus being on the dad) just so that nothing is missed.

They are just checking that your home is okay for the children, for all they know both homes could be the same, they’re there to protect the children.

It does because they can compare and contrast in their report. Not all children have a bedroom, not all children have a bed.

Children that do have beds and rooms don't always have things like carpet.

Your ex cannot make claims about you and your home when SS have been and assessed.

@ReadingSoManyThreads Adult children sometimes abuse their younger siblings. They may do other things that impact on the younger sibling as someone has mentioned up thread drugs is one, there are others.

I totally understand how you feel OP. It doesn't feel like your home should be relevant at all.

However, it is entirely possible that the dad will claim in the future that he provides a good home and that you don't. There may be claims made by him about your treatment of the older children etc...

Social services are making their own assessment which may be of benefit to you in the future should.your child's dad decide to turn nasty and switch things around on you. Even if you think thats v unlikely, it's better to be protected.

But one of the bedrooms they inspected was of an ADULT 'child'. SS have no remit over them and shouldn't have been in their bedroom. It doesn't 'feel invasive' it IS bloody invasive.