Do I make a formal complaint?

[OurChristmasMiracle]

Social worker left 4 weeks ago in middle of discussions about the future of contact. Assured me that someone would be allocated, she would do a full hand over etc.

So today I’ve emailed to be told they have no idea what is going on or what’s been agreed and no record of any discussions.

They now want me to discuss again in detail the issues around contact, why I can’t (or won’t) do certain months etc. Opening old wounds yet again ( the reason I couldn’t do a certain month was due to anniversaries of 3 deaths within that 4 week period).

When the last social worker left it took me 6 weeks of chasing being ignored and eventually I desperately reached out to my sons adoption social worker who had stopped working with us 2 years before.

Would I be unreasonable to complain? And if I do complain would I be unreasonable to request an independent body look into this?

Would I be unreasonable to complain? No.

The question is, will it work? Sometimes official complaints work, sometimes they make everyone clam up and do everything by letter.

You might consider a complaint to the line manager of the office first, rather than through the LA complaints procedure. I found this very effective when I had specific issues which were fairly easily resolved, so I could be clear about exactly what outcome I wanted.

And if I do complain would I be unreasonable to request an independent body look into this?

Reasonable or not, all you can do is use the LA official complaints procedure.

I appreciate that this is really shit for you, however I'm not sure what you're hoping to achieve by complaining.

Presumably the social worker who is responsible for failing to do the handover has now left?

This sounds more like a sad reflection on how overworked SS are than an example of particular failings within the LA.

The thing for me is continuity. There’s no hand over when one leaves or notification of new social worker etc which should be procedure, so should they clam up and do it by letter at least I would get the information needed.

I tried to contact the manager when the last change over happened and still haven’t had a response (2 years later!) or from duty!

Sorry this has all been so awful for you, I think social workers are so busy that once things are done and dusted from their point of view, both adopters and birth families just fall out of their heads as they focus on current families and cases.

I wonder whether an advocate would be able to help you? I hope you get a resolution that feels right for you. I admire your tenacity and strength.

The thing is this is the “post adoption Contact team” their role is solely to deal with contact so they don’t actually handle any thing other than contact and issues with contact, and supposedly supporting those involved.

I understood before it was handed over to them when it was still with the adoption team tbh as of course they have court etc to deal with.

Also if no one complains and makes a fuss things won’t change. The number of social workers will keep reducing because “they seem to be able to deliver an adequate service” when in reality people aren’t complaining just because they are overstretched.

The solution isn’t to just sit and say “it’s not their fault” because whilst it may not be an individuals fault it is the failing of the local authority for not funding the service that’s needed.

If you think it will be helpful to complain then do so then.

I'm not quite sure why you're asking for input if you've already made up your mind though.

Local authorities get a large proportion of their funding from central govt, which has been cut ruthessly - surely you have heard of austerity. Most public sector services are under horrendous pressure. Its really not fair to blame them for not funding a letter box service when many can barely meet their statutory duties.

I understand how important letterbox is to you, but do you want to take up SW time responding to your complaint or actually doing what you want them to do?
I'm not sure which independent body you have in mind but bear in mind that you will be required to go through local procedures first. It could take months when you could spend that time working with them - frustrating as it is.
I take your point about nothing changes if people don't complain but sometimes its a choice between fighting for a bigger cause or just focusing on what you want to achieve