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Original poster

getting together information and support for EVERYONE in the child protection system

287 replies

Spero · 21/01/2014 16:50

I am posting here, mainly because I am not sure what I am doing and I don't want to do anything against the rules or contrary to the site ethos.

In a nutshell, a lot of us have been contributing to various threads since before Christmas about the child protection system in the UK and all the controversy that has arisen since the case of Alessandra Pacchieri and the issue of 'forced adoption'.

We have perspectives from every part of the child protection system - there are birth parents, adoptive parents, social workers, lawyers etc and we think it could be a good idea to try to do something to bring us all together, to help people get access to information that is balanced and useful, particularly if they are facing care proceedings or worried they might be.

At the moment, we are thinking a blog could help, with different people providing short posts about their experiences and providing links to other sources that we know are credible and reliable. This could be very valuable for all of us - I am a lawyer for e.g. but I would love to know more about what doctors working in child protection are looking out for, and I would like to get more perspectives from birth parents about what they think is good or bad about the system.

We are also wondering if there could be a separate topic in 'Parenting' - Dealing with child Protection issues or similar, which could link to the blog, once we get if off the ground.

So sorry quite a lot of info there. Trying to précis

  1. We have a lot of untapped knowledge and experience and would like to pull it altogether to provide a good source of reliable and balanced advice
  2. We would like to start a blog, does anyone want to contribute or can think of snappy name?
  3. We would like to use the power of mumsnet to steer people towards our information and provide another platform for discussion and debate
4.What's the best way of going about this?

Any comments, thoughts welcomed.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
IWillKillHisXbox · 08/05/2014 22:36

Just a quickie. The social worker team manager in charge of my case got caught out in a lie by my barrister, the fathers barrister and the guardian and his barrister. Knew shed show her true colours soon enough. Shame they have obviously damaged individuals working with familes

NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 15/02/2014 21:46

Agree always room for more good stuff and a no pressure gig. I think it's good to have a steady pace to putting things up as well - it's very emotive for many people, I could imagine possibly being overwhelming if the pace was ramped up.

Original poster
Spero · 15/02/2014 20:19

Don't worry! anything anyone can do at any time is welcome. This isn't an exercise in guilt. I am happy with the content we have up at the moment, but there is always room for more good stuff.

It is quite odd that the response from the forced adoption lot has been so muted. After some of the threads on here I had been expecting rather more of an effort.

I pride myself that it is our robust commenter containment policy! We are collecting all the really 'interesting' comments and trying to answer them sensibly in a separate section. This has had an interesting chilling effect on their repetition.

The 'style' of the forced adoption lot is to make some astonishing assertion, then disappear, never having offered all the 'proof' and the 'links' that they claim to have. So I don't think they want AT ALL to engage in any sensible discussion.

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Lilka · 15/02/2014 20:04

Fantastic Smile

I'm also surprised at the (lack of) reaction from the forced adoption brigade! Mind you, it must be nice not having more arguments every day

I'm really sorry I haven't written my piece yet Spero having trouble at home atm, but I'll get around to it as soon as i can

NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 15/02/2014 19:47

Wow!

Original poster
Spero · 15/02/2014 18:26

There is a Finnish group of people working in child protection who want to meet us in May! we are going global!

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NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 15/02/2014 17:05

Thanks!

I am still amazed by the whole thing - it was/is a great idea.

WestmorlandSausage · 15/02/2014 13:43

yes i may make that my task for today

NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 15/02/2014 13:04

Oh how frustrating Misc. Grrr indeed.

Spero/Sausage is possible to adjust links on the website to open in a new tab or window? I keep losing my way back to the site!

MiscellaneousAssortment · 15/02/2014 09:30

Written something but damned government have changed the guidelines for disabled care and have an interim doc preparing the way for the care act 2015. Grrrr.

Original poster
Spero · 06/02/2014 06:36

Don't apologise - you and all other contributors are doing US the favour.

Sorry to hear about DS and hope he is more perky today.

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MiscellaneousAssortment · 06/02/2014 00:40

Spero a thousand apologies for the late coming posts. They are on their way but ds has taken longer to peek up after his op than I thought. So it's still in head not on page. I will do it though and I really do want to.

Original poster
Spero · 05/02/2014 19:49

Its actually disappointingly mild! I thought they would all be out in force.

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AnywhereOverTheRainbow · 05/02/2014 17:28

@Spero

Are the conspiracy theorists all wound up for your blog? Because they seem pissed someone is challenging them to publish the truth and they don't want that stuff online...
You've been invaded lol

NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 05/02/2014 09:12

And this is a prime example of why this resource will be equally invaluable to families and professionals alike and has my full support!

(Not that I carry any weight lol but happy to jump up and down with pom poms as and when)

Smile
AllTheWorldAndSoMuch · 04/02/2014 22:38

I will do Spero, I must admit some of thr information in his piece is enlightening for me too!

Original poster
Spero · 04/02/2014 21:53

I hope you have commented on his piece! He is very concerned - I had no idea about any of this, so already I am learning lots.

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AllTheWorldAndSoMuch · 04/02/2014 19:23

Having very recent experience of writing IMRs for SCR and in contrast seeing a colleague working with the 'new way' I would agree wholeheartedly with the concerns raised by Phillip Measures.

NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 04/02/2014 18:56

I think I missed a couple of your posts there for some reason.

That item by Philip Measures is great!

Absolutely agree that any independent panel has to be expert in CP and very disconcerting that:

a) LSCB’s are no longer Public Bodies

b) Their Chairs are now appointed by Local Authority Chief Execs

c) OFSTED inspect them

I would finally make a call for the routine involvement in SCR’s of experienced practitioners who are independent of the Case and the Local Authorities / agencies concerned and also for their inclusion of Overview / Expert Panels.

Unless and until it can be clearly demonstrated that SCR’s are completely open and truly independent there can neither be professional, and even more importantly, public confidence in their integrity.

Couldn't agree more with his conclusion.

Tis no place for journalists. In some cases they could have appropriate access to details etc, but to play a part in the decision making, are they on drugs?

When someone has a moment and is inspired, it would be great for an easy-read summary of the key concerns around this (would like to help by offering but a bit out of my area!)

I feel certain the role of independents in scrutiny of cases (not just serious review cases but possibly random/other cases too) is the key to allaying concerns and increasing public confidence.

Even with the best of intentions, journalists/MPs and the like just do not have the specialist expertise.

NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 04/02/2014 13:32

Oh not me, and yes you're right it is there. I never think of it as "Family Lives" but as "Parentline" as a stand alone resource, but they do so much more now too!

Original poster
Spero · 04/02/2014 13:22

I think you must have already given us the family lives link as it was one of the first I put up on Links and Resources!

Keep em coming.

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NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 04/02/2014 12:44

That's totally fair enough and understandable. Agree it is a really well informed piece. And yes a disclaimer around sources might be good.

Another link come to mind for use wherever you see fit!

familylives.org.uk/

Original poster
Spero · 04/02/2014 12:03

Also re your point on risk identification - you might be interested in this piece just published by Philip Measures about his concerns about Serious Case Reviews and the information they are getting.

www.childprotectionresource.org.uk/category/professionals/other-professionals/

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Original poster
Spero · 04/02/2014 12:01

Nose, I have added this to our front page - is this helpful?
Disclaimer

We added this paragraph after a helpful comment from one of our contributors.

This is the internet. We can't carry out extensive background checks on everyone who contributes. If we think something looks credible and helpful we will publish it. If we get something wrong, please tell us. When contributors are happy to be identified, we will provide as much identification as possible to let you feel confident about them. But a lot of our contributors want to remain anonymous for pretty obvious reasons and we have to respect that.

But it is good advice on ANY internet site - be cautious. You often can't be sure who anyone is. Don't use this site to replace getting help and advice from the trusted real life professionals you know. We hope it will act mainly as a useful signpost to you.

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Original poster
Spero · 04/02/2014 11:52

thanks Nose, I will add the link but our contributor wants to remain anonymous.

I don't know her full background, but her post certainly read to me as if she knew what she was talking about and I found it very informative and helpful.

But we are not naive - this is the internet, we can't carry out full background checks on everyone who posts. If we think the information sounds credible, we will publish it and hope that if anyone spots anything dangerously wrong, they will contact us for corrections and clarifications.

We probably need to put a disclaimer on the Home Page pointing that out, so thanks for the comment.

I will link to Samaritans.

Please DONT be scared of being critical - this is exactly what we need. This resource will live or die because of is contributors. We don't want to be adding to any advice which is harmful.

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