Social Workers Assessment - Don't know what to do

[TigerLionZebra]

I am posting for some advice regarding a SW C&F assessment, it is a voluntary assessment and not mandatory - the child (DD3) is not in immediate danger and isn't subject to a CPP.
We fled DV in 2020, relocated to safety and started our lives again. In the interim, ExP took me to the Family Court where we have been for over a year.
My Local Authority became involved after an incident took place (can't give details as it's outing) but it prompted involvement.
We were assigned a newly qualified social worker who was under supervision.
She has met me, DD and ExP. She has met DD at her childcare setting, in my home and at supervise contact, she has observed contact.
She sent me a draft copy of the assessment for review after her manager asked her to because it contains so much personal and sensitive information, she could effectively be putting me in danger.
I am so horrified by what she has written and don't know what to do.
She's effectively questioned my "mental health" repeatedly, in so far as asking my IDVA's if I have any diagnosed mental health conditions. She has stated that my anxities are exaggerated and it is possible the domestic abuse is in my head.
She has put her personal opinion in the assessment and effectively believed my ex, it presents as SO biased.
I've received feedback on her from my IDVA and my daughters childcare who said that she questioned DD so aggressively that DD was left confused by the end of it, one of the staff almost had to intervene to tell her to stop.
She's also put words into my mouth and written things which I didn't say. She has purposely left out factual information pertaining to my exes psychiatric health.
I've asked to speak to her manager and she has told me he is not available. So I have since asked to speak with her supervising social worker.
This is a newly qualified SW, she attended a MARAC and Professionals meeting whereby she said my ex is a very dangerous man and should be prosecuted for what he has done to both DD and I. Now after meeting him, she has believed everything he has said.
What can I do to address this?
She won't submit this assessment because it needs my final review as it contains so much personal information that needs to be redacted. I have gone through the assessment line by line and made comments and added the factual information.
I just feel so despondent.

Apologies for the spelling mistakes.

I’ve no advice, just wanted to offer some sympathy. That sounds horrendous for you to have to read. I really hope you are able to engage with a senior social worker and able to get the assessment thoroughly reviewed.

What did the marac decide? Sw attend and or get minutes. The marac risk assesses the perp. Something for you to consider though you may not want to post it here.

Is it all about a singular incident or abuse over time?

There has been several MARACS leading up to and after we fled. She attended both the MARAC and professionals meeting. I've seen the minutes for the professionals meeting and she actually stated how dangerous he is and that she should be prosecuted and is there anything that the police can do to help prosecute him.
It's almost like she has had one meeting with him and believed everything he has said.

I’d contact the manager directly not via her detailing your concerns.

I would also consider copying in your local councillors. Perhaps contact them before hand with more information on the situation, then email SW manager. If no response I’d also consider contacting Director of SW at local authority again copying in councillors. I’d do this quickly.

Have spoken with her supervising SW, she will raise all of my concerns with her manager.

Ugh, I had a completely useless SW once and an absolutely fantastic one the second time (DS's dad is a safeguarding risk).

In any case, it's not up to her if you get to talk to her manager, there's a strict complaint procedure.

Confused you said that there's information that can put you at risk in the document though, the reports normally have a load of identifying information.

Single assessments can be redacted for the other parent if it's necessary sometimes but not often as ss operate a policy of full disclosure..

A friend of mine had something similar - fled from an ex due to DV, he then unfortunately kidnapped their toddler and refused to give him back. She went to court and the SWs report was inaccurate factually which could have been bad for my friend. However she dealt with it by way of an addendum to her witness statement/court papers(?) and was awarded majority custody back, unfortunately though the case took so long to go through court because of covid, she ended up having to build contact back up incrementally as she hadn’t seen her daughter for nearly six months at that point.

It’s criminal that SW continue to make mistakes and there are no consequences for them. Do you have a solicitor? They will be able to help you.

Put all of your concerns in writing to the manager and quote the assessment asking for evidence and what has lead her to form the opinion she has.
As a naive young social worker I remember very charismatic and convincing dads aka highly dangerous abusive men making me question what I’d been told but I had very good supervisors and managers who helped me to question what had been said by these men, question why I believed them, understand that this skill these men have are why they are so successful in their abuse.

I personally don't think they should have allowed a newly qualified SW anywhere near your case, other than for observation.
It takes a lot of years of experience to be able to understand how abusers operate.

I would try not to worry too much about it though I understand it would have been incredibly difficult reading what she has wrote. But by the sounds of things, the marac meetings have covered just how bad he is. Really, her own report should flag her up, not you.

You have done the right thing by getting in touch with those above her. Fingers crossed this is dealt with quickly for you.

Former SW manager here. I am glad you have been able to speak with the supervising social worker however I would follow this up in writing. Confirm that your conversation took place and summarise the concerns you raised - bullet points are fine. I would also ask for written feedback once these issues have been raised with the manager. The newly qualified SW was working under supervision and from your post someone, the supervisor or manager, had clearly read the assessment before the visit and at the very least identified that it contained a lot of personal information (an inappropriate amount?) so they too have some responsibility here. Have a think what you want the outcome to be: the assessment revised, an apology, a meeting with the SW and manager, something else? If you are not satisfied, ask for their complaints procedure and complain.

Agree with the previous points about sending everything you have discussed in writing. A good thing in your favour here is that the social worker has objectively made mistakes if they've questioned the DV, given that the case was heard at MARAC and also given personal opinion not backed up by evidence. No cases should be heard at MARAC unless they have been deemed high risk. The supervising social worker should be picking these things up.

Unfortunately social workers get very little training on domestic abuse and often don't understand the tactics abusers use to dominate professionals.

As well as the redaction, please also make sure if there are any future meetings eg child in need, child protection you ask that these are split so you are not in the same room as your ex partner

Domestic violence perpetrators are manipulative and good at projecting themselves as being normal. The social worker has fallen hook , line and sinker for this. Women's Aid should have lots of experience of this and I'd ask for their help. Best wishes for the future.

You call them out. Well your legal team do. Final hearing in court after 4 years.. Cafcass legal guardian(senior Cafcass officer) admitted (after I jabbed my barrister and passed a hastily written note) that his entire report was based on 'facts' made by exh. He had even given exh details of time /place of a medical appointment I had that was very relevant to the case.. Do not sign anything
. Suggest your GP write regarding your none diagnosis of any mh issues at the very least.