To ask SS that my child is no longer a Child in Need?

[Anothernosebleed]

Long post as I don't want to drip feed.

My son (5) has been on a CiN plan for almost a year, following him making allegations about his dad harming him to the school. I supported his claims and demonstrated to the school that I had previously discussed my concerns with NSPCC who advised that contact should remain the same (although i did offer reduced contact to my ex who bit my hand off to accept).

My son has significant additional needs and is also adopted. The school asked me what I wanted to happen, and I said they should follow their safeguarding procedures rather than asking me! It very much felt like they didn't believe my DS.

Anyway, SS were informed and after a thorough assessment my son was placed on a CiN plan. My ex was offered lots of additional support which he refused to accept. I was also offered support to manage sons behaviour (he has SEMH needs) which i gratefully accepted. The plan stated thar contact should continue but that I should remain alert to my son's emotional wellbeing around his dad and involve SS and police if there were any further incidents of harm.

There was, I did, and DS no longer sees his dad. This was his dads choice, he couldn't cope and walked away after a disastrous weekend contact. I stated to SS that despite his decision, following the events of that contact I would not allow my ex to see DS again unless a judge forced my hand. SS supported this.

I've had a great relationship with our Social Workers - the one who did the assessment, then our allocated SW, and then a third one when the second one left. All have said I'm an extremely caring parent who advocates for my child and that he is well looked after and there are no parenting concerns.

Third SW has just told me she is leaving. This means my son now has to build a relationship with a fourth SW in less than a year when he has an attachment disorder and anxieties around abandonment. I don't feel I am getting anything out of him being on a CiN plan anymore. They made a referral for a parenting course six months ago and I've heard nothing since. I've asked them to provide support for our EHCP tribunal, I've asked for a carers assessment, I've asked for respite. Nothing has happened. Our current SW (the one who is leaving) sees herself as a "care co-ordinator" who makes sure everyone else is doing what they should be. But we have a post adoption SW who has done referrals for a multidisciplinary, and I have a great relationship with his current school.

SS seem to suggest any support he needs has to come from the post-adoption funding which just isn't true.

WIBU to request that he is no longer on a CiN plan as he is not benefitting from it and it is infact causing more distress with SW keep leaving?

I don't think you're being unreasonable to acknowledge the impact that so many changes in SW is having but unfortunately that's pretty common across the board and across all SS teams at the moment and seems to have got worse post covid. Could you maybe put in a complaint and state the support you need or have been offered that they haven't followed through on yet and note the impact on your DS when there is a change in worker? I work alongside SS and my understanding is that if a child is formally adopted then respite etc would come from that particular team and their budget but the difficulty with having multiple teams involved means sometimes it becomes both everyone and noones responsibility and can slow things down if the two teams aren't communicating. Can you ask for a meeting with both teams present to clarify responsibility and who will do what actions to try and move things forward? Shouldn't really have to fall to you to arrange that but it sounds like the two teams aren't communicating well enough? Good luck it's really hard and the difference in support for adoptive families compared to foster families is pretty grim. I hope you both get the support you need.

I'd ask straight out what needs to happen for them to sign off or whatever the term is.

Unlike a CP plan, a CIN plan is voluntary, so it's your decision whether or not you continue. You don't have to ask, just tell them you don't want it and explain why. I'm surprised they haven't closed it already to be honest from what you've written here. Thresholds for intervention at CIN level are very high, or at least they are in our area, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were planning to close your case anyway once your current SW leaves.

I know it's voluntary but I do worry they might ramp it up to CP if I refuse to continue, if its seen not to be putting his best interests first.

However this comment is from the latest notes I have from the plan. So it doesn't feel like they think I'm a risk but they could turn that around on me if I stop.

I know they have no intention of closing it because his safety scores are still really low in that he has significant needs that are not being met because of his current school placement (ironic since its the LA blocking a move to a specialist school).

From what you have posted, your request sounds entirely reasonable. Have you got a date for the CiN plan to be reviewed? Could this be arranged/brought forward before the existing SW leaves (even if done virtually?) Would give an opportunity to finalise things and allay any concerns you might have about being seen not to be cooperating. Also an opportunity to flag up any outstanding referrals.

The next review is in about a month - but I literally don't have contact details for anyone who is currently in the team to ask about moving it, SW told me on Friday that it is her last day and I was too shocked to think to ask of who has responsibility in the interim. No manager details either.

Sorry to hear this OP, I think this is poor practice.