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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:
edamsavestheday · 25/01/2014 11:30

I think the site is looking fab. And it's such a great achievement. Everyone involved should take a bow. A huge bow with massive applause. You are making a huge difference.

Original poster
Spero · 25/01/2014 11:29

Sorry to put you through this. But I hope that it will save some other parents from pain, and also their children too.

I think your posts are very articulate and very powerful and deserve the widest possible audience.

OP posts:
inlovewithgarp · 25/01/2014 11:27

Ah thank you - I appreciate that. I just don't want to run the risk of anything identifying, whilst also balancing that with a strong desire to help other parents.

I have started writing my "bit". I have tears already...

Original poster
Spero · 25/01/2014 11:25

Garp I have just edited it to make reference to your child gender neutral as I note you were careful to do that in your post.

Of course the main reason for doing this was to save myself repetitive strain injury in the future, I can just cut and paste one simple link now!!

OP posts:
inlovewithgarp · 25/01/2014 11:23

Ooooh re .org Grin it's v exciting! Do you know, it will be such a useful resource for terrified birth parents. There genuinely is nothing like it - I know, I trawled the internet looking at 9 months pregnant. Just think Spero - now when The Theorists come on you can just link to that instead of banging head against brick wall arguing with the buggers. You will be like serene being Wink

Original poster
Spero · 25/01/2014 11:20

I hope this link works and will inspire contributors!

Garp your post is up on Mythbusting - I hope what I have said is ok, please let me know if it isn't.

I think the site is looking beautiful. Thankyou to those with greater techy genius than I for making this possible (that's pretty much everyone by the way)
childprotectionresource.wordpress.com/

OP posts:
Original poster
Spero · 25/01/2014 10:59

garp, the nagging will never end...

Enjoy your weekend! bwhahahahah.

Good news: it looks like we will be moving to a .org address and looking dead professional very soon.

If all the contributors come good by the end of next week (nag, nag naggity nag) we will be ready for official launch and to request link to mumsnet bloggers network!

OP posts:
inlovewithgarp · 25/01/2014 10:53

And so the nagging begins Wink I would be proud to do so, yes. I can actually ask one of my best friends to write something too? We are still "going through it" so it may be a release for her to do so! Will ask her today Smile

Original poster
Spero · 25/01/2014 08:55

Thats a brilliant idea - maybe garp can include some reference to this in what she is going to write next week (nag nag nag) or we could have a separate category on the website on how best to support friends or family going through this.

OP posts:
ToffeesStickyFriend · 25/01/2014 07:20

A bit late to this, I know. But I'd welcome input from someone who could advise on how the friends of those caught in the CP can help or support - what they should say or do, what would be unhelpful or make things worse. I think it'd be best written by someone like inlovewithgarp, who could explain what she had needed from those around her at the time.

Original poster
Spero · 24/01/2014 21:00

Dammit! She's slippery.

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 24/01/2014 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Spero · 24/01/2014 20:46

Squeal all you want mrs DeVere but we expect at least 800 words of penetrating and incisive analysis on our desks by Monday am or you will be nominated as mistress #28.

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 24/01/2014 20:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WestmorlandSausage · 24/01/2014 19:32

keep it coming people. I've got a wordpress account and i'm not afraid to use it!

WestmorlandSausage · 24/01/2014 19:29

MrsDeVere I've added a kinship carers section for you under stories from parents and carers Grin

Original poster
Spero · 24/01/2014 17:29

Ok contributors you have got the weekend to relax but then I am on your case. I will be all over your contributions, like JH with a particularly juicy spreadsheet.

OP posts:
PeriodFeatures · 24/01/2014 15:49

Yes, it would be no small task to co-ordinate something like that! What you are doing though is brilliant.

Original poster
Spero · 24/01/2014 13:34

We might run into problems with vetting and safety procedures if we try to get people meeting up, so I am not sure how far we can go on this site with setting up pool of potential supporters BUT we can link in with other organisations who do already have volunteers.

OP posts:
PeriodFeatures · 24/01/2014 12:28

wouldn't it be great if there were a nationwide 'bank' of volunteer advocates and advisers that could support parents in proceedings.

I think it would really sharpen up sw practice.

MrsDeVere · 24/01/2014 11:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Spero · 24/01/2014 11:23

Keep it coming, all comments welcome.

Get writing Mrs DeV! I will be doing the legal stuff over weekend, let's get some good stuff up quick.

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 24/01/2014 11:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsDeVere · 24/01/2014 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NoseWiperExtraordinaire · 24/01/2014 10:51

Really like it so far Spero. Well done!

Re: advocacy, I totally agree with Period. Good advocacy can make a vital difference and does seem to be thin on the ground. There are mental health advocacy services around, but I am unaware of the level of involvement they might take in child protection.

The South East Advocacy Project is one I know of that is very good, but clearly limited to the areas and type of work they can do, by the funding they have:

www.seap.org.uk/services/independent-mental-health-advocacy/about-independent-mental-health-advocacy.html

The British Institute of Human Rights carry out national advocacy work www.bihr.org.uk/policy-and-public-affairs/recent-work which may be a good resource for professionals (they don't take on individual cases) with a focus on Human Rights, and has a section on Family Rights with respect to Migration, but nothing specific I could see targetting child protection issues.

The University of Central Lancashire has undertaken a review of Mental Health Advocacy services. Their findings were:

A quality IMHA services is: easily available; one in which the service user has confidence and trust; enables them to express their views and be heard and thus potentially influence decisions about their care and treatment under the MH Act and thus ultimately is likely to support their journey to recovery. This reflects the legal position, which establishes that people detained under the MH Act have a right to be heard.

Overall, we found that access to IMHA services is problematic, particularly for those people who have the most difficulty getting their voice heard. Access is influenced by availability of IMHA service, and thus reflects the quality of commissioning and the understanding of service users. It is also influenced by the understanding of mental health professionals and their attitude to advocacy.

www.uclan.ac.uk/research/environment/projects/the_right_to_be_heard.php

So it seems perhaps quality advocacy for people facing CP system could be a key thing for the blog to campaign for ?

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