Social Services

[user1485088534]

Hi,

Today I received a call to say that a referral has been made from school.

I work at the school where my children go. The referral was made by DSL after a colleague had said that I told her about my partner using a class A drug which is not true.

The lady who phoned me today said the allegation read as:

Ongoing domestic abuse, use of Class A drugs whilst children were in the house as well as, bruising to myself.

I discussed with the lady that there is no ongoing domestic abuse, I said we argue sometimes but the children are all unaware of this and may hear slight bickering like normal families however never hear shouting.

I have three children and he has one who lives with us full time.

13,12,10 and 9.

She asked about bruising and I said that I may have bruises on my arms and legs but I bruise easily and always knock myself.

She said this will now be referred for an assessment. What will happen now? How do I prove there is no domestic abuse and that I do not use drugs nor does my partner.

I'm so scared.

My partner and his daughter have been under social services for years ago, for drug misuse whilst he was caring for her.

Have you been asked if you will consent to an assessment? Or told there will be one?

Section 21 assessments are voluntary, so this should have been explained to you.

Section 47 assessments happen after all agencies have met for a meeting and agree that an assessment is needed even if you don't consent.

There is an important distinction between the two.

Just be totally honest with the social worker. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but their aim is to make your family life better and support you.

So this is an entirely malicious claim by your colleague? Is there nothing at all you may have said that could cause concern?

Let me be clear,
I am scared because I do not know what social services will do, not because I am scared of him and like it I said it is an allergation which is completely false.
No drug use or domestic abuse.

But you said yourself, that has been social services intervention because of drug use.

You moved a man who used drugs while looking after his child into your home with children?

I’m afraid giving his similar history your version of events don’t sounds very believable even if they’re true.

Yes years ago when we were not together. 6 years ago.

If he has had a referral in the past for exactly the same allegation - drug use, then I think you are going to have a very hard time proving it is not true.

You need to get rid of him.

Have you asked this colleague why they have made a malicious and untrue allegation against you?

Social work will
-review any previous case records held on your family (so the historical issues)

• ask police for any records on family
• contact you and arrange to meet to gain your views

-it's summer- but normally they would contact schools /nurseries for their views of any issues

• they may want to seek children's views - ideally someone from school would do this but if that is not possible then a social worker may visit. This would not be an interview interrogation but more a chance for children to share any worries they may have.

It's likely the case will close quickly provided there is no evidence of safeguarding convenes.

Please feel free to PM me. I spent 8years in children's social work (only very recently leaving)

Over 6 years ago, he had involvment from SS.
We have been together 4 years. He have been in rehab and is no longer a user.

People do change and he lives here, so I know 100% he is not a user anymore.

They said, it will be go through an assessment and they will contact me back.

🤦‍♀️

This will differ between countries - legislation is different in Scotland for example

Ignore others. People recover and are allowed to go on to be functioning , capable parents after a history of drug misuse.

You can't prove a negative. Social work will seek views of mother, partner and children. As well as look at records of police , school etc.
the allegation may later be viewed as inaccurate or malicious - but social work have a duty to investigate

You won't know who has reported you, as they don't disclose that. But if you're covered in bruises, it would be absolutely good practice to report it to the DSL.

They've got a duty of care towards you and your child, so have to investigate.

Did you or could you apply for a Claire's Law disclosure to see whether he has previously been violent?

Sometimes they do disclose it- a person may request to be anonymous but sometimes the content of the referral makes it obvious who made the allegation.

Any idea why your colleague reported this op? As others have said, was it malicious?

Yes I did, nothing came from the Claire's Law.

Maybe she's aware of his history of drug use and then observed bruises. Ideally she should have spoken with OP first - but plenty don't bother to do this and contact social work directly without trying this (I've seen it 10000 times- very frustrating!)

I have no idea, I have not been told. I do not really speak to people about my personal life at work. There is no domestic abuse x

Ok. No need to stress. Let people come and visit and be honest, I suspect the case will close very quickly.

Drug use will show up in hair analysis so you could offer to do that test ( both of you)

I'm more concerned that you " bruise easily". Is this noted on your medical record? Did anyone ever query it with parents when you were a child?

They won't test. GPs/ NHS services don't do this just because of an allegation.