BEDROOM TAX related. Letter mentioning Childrens Services. AIBU to think this is appalling.

[Darkesteyes]

Apparently if a parent recieves a letter notifying them of eviction proceedings they will be considered to have caused this situation intentionally and Childrens Services will be notified.
Ive seen at least 3 copies of letters like this on Twitter over the past few days. So

twitter.com/robolollycop/status/397035649460498432/photo/1

[fifi669]

If I was made homeless and had no where to go, I'd want SS to take DS! Better he stays with them than on the streets with me!

That wouldn't happen though as I pay my rent. When I was unemployed and on benefits I managed a night out a week so if need be I could have handled the so called bedroom tax. In all honesty I agree with it, not sure why a bigger than you need house should be paid for you.

[giantpurplepeopleeater]

I have seen similar letter sent to people who are in eviction proceedings due to non-payment of rent/ bills/ ASB well before the bedroom tax came in.

The problem is that non-payment might lead to eviction, from a council property. Surely if a child becomes homeless, you would want social services to be involved, no?

I know it might come across as threatening, but they need to think about the children

[Sallyingforth]

I have great sympathy with anyone facing eviction for reasons outside their control. I would like to know though how many of those getting these letters do actually have spare rooms that cause them to face the 'bedroom tax', and how many are just not paying rent for other reasons as has always been the case.

[WooWooOwl]

It does seem like there is a bedroom tax bandwagon that could easily be jumped on by people who could afford to pay their rent without starving.

[Thatisall]

I would think it would be standard procedure and general 'covering if backs' to advise SS if a child is potentially about to become homeless, whatever the reason.

[MrsDeanAmbrose]

I'm a duty social worker and housing have, as a matter of routine, informed us of impending eviction proceedings, in all the local authorities I have worked. I have never known a child to be accommodated just because of being evicted. We are more likely to offer to help with a deposit.
Housing often threaten that we will remove the kids despite us telling them it's not going to happen.

[NewtRipley]

MrsDean

So you agree that the tone of that letter is threatening?

[Bowlersarm]

To link the letter to bedroom tax is sensationalism OP.

It says nothing about spare bedrooms as far as I could see.

[MrsDeanAmbrose]

Newt Ripley

I don't see the letter as threatening, as it looks to me that they are notifying the family of the referral, as they have a duty to do (any professional who makes a referral to children's services should tell the family they are doing so, unless to tell the family would cause the children to be in danger), however I can well imagine that many people would be worried and scared by such a referral, given public perceptions of children's services.

I don't think the letter can be directly linked to the "Bedroom tax", because as I said, such referrals have been made on a routine basis for years.

[Darkesteyes]

Bowlersarm taking a wild stab in the dark here im pretty sure the community charge debt letters in the early 90s didnt mention the words "poll tax" either.!!!

[TrinSnowPastaMelonity]

I dont see what so wrong with the letter

[HappyMummyOfOne]

If parents cant or wont pay the rent (and benefits are very generous if not in work) them of course SS should be involved. They are there to protect children, the adult is in control of their life but the child is not and some need external agencies involved.

[Darkesteyes]

Hiding ...... then housing speaking out of turn for/about SS is something that needs tackling.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

The truth behind the letter is that CS have a legal duty to assist where children are vulnerable to eviction they also don't just have a duty to the children because they also have a duty to keep families (where no abuse warranting not doing so exists) togather.

Its also a gross misrepresentation to state as fact that eviction due to arrears is automaticly intentionality because its not.

However the vast majority of people getting these letters will not have qualifications in housing law or the children's act.

The letters have been intentionally written in the way they have been to maximise fear and generate payments exactly the same way that none reputable debt collectors operate. This is wrong,its fear mongering.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Of course benefits are very generous happymummy in fact they are so much so,that I am going to quit my job and go live it up on them.

I fully expect they will continue to fund my helicopter.

[WooWooOwl]

So what should the letter says.

We are going to evict you and give you support, but don't worry, it doesn't matter that you have failed to pay your rent and are now in arrears, you are clearly a brilliant parent.

Not going to happen is it.

The last paragraph in the letter was informative, as was the bit that says that the recipient will be given advice and assistance to find alternative accommodation.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

How about a homelessness application will need to be made and assed we will refer you to CS as they have a statutory duty.

Rather than being ambiguous

[Darkesteyes]

Agree with Sock It is deliberate fear mongering.
Woo woo there are many damn good parents out there struggling to choose between paying the bedroom tax and feeding their children.
I dont have DC myself but i DO have an empathy gene!

[Dawndonnaagain]

If parents cant or wont pay the rent (and benefits are very generous if not in work
Tosh.
Oh, and this is happening to people with disabilities, and those with disabled children, why? Because those oh so generous benefits do not cover the bedroom tax.

[WooWooOwl]

Then they will probably welcome the advice and assistance the letter promises so that they can find alternative accommodation that they can afford.

I really don't see how it can be called fear mongering when it's a fact, and a very good thing that children who are in danger of becoming homeless are referred to children's services.

[GobbySadcase]

Some people are really effin' clueless.
Children's services are used as a threat. Child Disability team did it with us to make us go away.

It shouldn't be like that, that's not what they're there for.

[NewtRipley]

Yes, sock, that's it exactly

[HappyMummyOfOne]

I disagree Dawndonna, there would have been no need for the £26k cap on benefits if they were paid at a truly "survival" rate. Those with disabilities dont fall under the cap so can claim over it. If they were not so generous people wouldnt contemplate them as a lifestyle choice or have child after child with no intention of paying for that choice themeselves.

There is also no such thing as a "bedroom tax", its just you cant claim fully for a house bigger than you need. Those that pay there own rent dont get spare rooms for free so why should those that dont?

[GobbySadcase]

ODFOD.
care to swap and try out your quite frankly deluded theories?

[MurderOfGoths]

Gobby She always shows up on benefits threads to tell us how those on benefits are living extravagantly and/or all dodgy. Very boring.