Urgent help needed

[Urgenthelpneeded2022]

Urgent advice needed. Long winded -

Basically I have 3 children who’s dad filed for custody last year. I was with an ex partner and didn’t realise domestic abuse untill he put me in hospital. I ended up homeless and the children went to live with there dad.

Whilst being with there dad I have weekend contact with them where it’s come clear that he’s hurting them, not feeding them properly or looking after there personal needs. I have discussed my concerns with the family worker but 9/10 she’s ignoring my concerns.

Yesterday it came to a blow when she went to see the children and they told her about the abuse there receiving from there Dad. I then got a phone call from the family worker to go pick them up. I’m currently staying at my sisters due to where they go to school. I’ve seemed legal advice this morning because there’s no final court hearing set but after the phone call off pick them up today I don’t want to send them back to him. Does anyone know what I can do with it being weekend wether I have to give them back Sunday or do I keep them with me? My family worker has ignored my phone calls all day and my solicitor said they’d read over the paper work and get back to me Monday latest. I’m really worried about what’s going on when there with there dad.

So there is no court order in place? If there is no court order then you can keep them with you. If he does call the police, they will not remove them from you unless they were at significant risk from you (threshold very high)

It’s terrible that family worker did not give you comprehensive advice or took your calls

Do you have a current Court Order as there are proceedings? This won’t be the final CAO but there will be something

If I got a call from a family worker telling me to go & pick them up, I would NOT be letting them near that abusive test until some judge gave me absolutely no option.

how old are your children?

im sorry you E had relationships with 2 abusive men. What help are you getting to help you with that.

Have you rang ss direct or nspcc?

Sorry I don’t no how to reply direct to people, to answer the above questions

we’ve been to court a couple off times and it got agreed with them being in school and me relocating to another area that they would stay with there dad and I’d have them on a weekend till I secured housing which I’m still trying to do I’m on at the council every week begging for them to help me so I can have my babies back full time.

I don’t want to post to much information which could give me away but my children are all primary school aged.

in answer to what help I’ve done the freedom programme for my self which has helped me massively.

ive spoken to NSPCC previously and they reported concerns to the family worker but nothing got done about that untill it happened again this week and the family worker then took action.

I don’t want to get my self in trouble but I also don’t want my babies coming to any further harm they’ve been through more then enough.

Anyone else have any further advice please I’m desperate 😞😞😞

If you have concerns around their safety when they are with their dad - do not send them back.

Even if there is a CAO in place, if you have concerns around significant harm, you ensure the children are safe whilst returning to court immediately.

I'd also call 101 to log it with the police detailing the nature of the concerns raised and your rational for keeping the children with you. (Especially if there is a CAO)

Thank you

I have no pratical advice but I'm sending you lots of hugs. I hope it all works out for you and your children!