Aibu to think this probably came from the police?

[Caff2]

I received a letter today, an alarming one, headed Local Safeguarding Children Board.

It begins:

Dear Parent/Guardian for X

We are writing to confirm we have received a recent referral regarding your child. We have considered the available information and we have reached a decision that no further action will be taken by Children's Services.

It goes on to say that due to data protection and confidentiality they are unable to discuss it by telephone at this time, but that if I want to request further info, I can complete a Subject Access form which is a Freedom of Information service.

The letter is dated 30th September. On Monday, so 29th, I reported my son missing as he didn't come back from school. After two hours and ringing school and all his friends I could think of, I phoned 101. A police officer came out, and as he arrived, my son called and he was in fact at a friend's house in a different town! The mum of friend returned him, and the police officer came back to talk to him about worrying everyone etc. DS 1 is 14.

I'm wondering if this letter has arisen from this?

yes I think the referral came from the police but not the letter

Yes, sorry, I meant the referral.

My dd (yr6 at time) didn't come home from school. I drove round the area, rang friends etc and eventually rang police.
I didn't get referred to CS. This was about 18 months ago. Maybe things have changed since then?

Yes. He's a child so they'd automatically check if he was on CS' radar, so to speak. Really nothing to worry about. If lots of checks were being done, it would flag up that he might be a child at risk. But he's not, that's what they've confirmed.

Does it really say "Subject Access is a FoI service"? They're 2 separate pieces of legislation, but lots of confusion in the public about this, but I wouldn't expect them to say that! You have the right to apply for information held about you (Subject Access Request) under the Data Protection Act 1998 - as they've suggested, and they'll need proof of your ID and probably a £10 fee. Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives access to information held by public authorities - but personal information is exempt and you won't get it under FOIA. #informationaccessgeek

yes , from police. certain things automatically trigger a referral.

It's fair enough really, though isn't it? Much better they slightly unsettle one nice caring mother for a short while than that they don't stop and look at whether there is anything the Local Safeguarding Children Board need to be aware of. In your case it was nothing - in other cases it could be the trigger that goes on to reveal a whole heap of issues in the child's life.

I can absolutely understand why you're thrown - I would be too. But it's a belt and braces approach that is way better than no action.

Aimey, it says: "Please note if you complete the Freedom of Information process (Subject Access Form) we do charge an administration fee, more information regarding this fee is available on our website"

Yes, Hassles, if it came from the police that's fine, I'm just paranoid about what on Earth else it could be!

Hassled, sorry!

try data protection then and ask to go and view the documents, which I think you can do for free.

I'd have no doubt it came from the police given the timings.

That's what I kind of thought and hoped - there's been no other communication from anyone apart from this letter today.

I'd imagine it came from the police.

I'm a teacher in a pastoral role, and we occasionally have questions from SS arising from issues involving the police.

Most recently, I had a visit from a social worker who wanted to know if I had any concerns about a boy in my group. The reason was that there was a fight at his home- father and another male, I think, not DV- but the boy was present. It was a one off incident that got out of hand I believe, rather than part of a string of violence. I (and other staff members) reassured them that we had no concerns. The child was happy and well cared for. Parents had always been polite, friendly and supportive of their child and the school. Father had never seemed aggressive, and the child certainly didn't seem intimidated by him or worried. SS went away happy, and I'd imagine this family got a similar letter to yours.

As a PP said- best that they check, and worry a good parent a little, rather than not checking and an abusive parent slips through the net.

I'm sure now it was from the police missing report - school pastoral lady called me this morning to ask about it as missing children lady had called the school and asked them to check with me that all was ok, and I told her about the letter, which she seemed to think was standard. So that's ok. Hopefully, he'll actually think twice before vanishing off without phoning another time!