Caring for at risk children. Will social services visit me?

[unpaidnanny]

To cut a long and very nasty story short, I'm looking after my friends 2 babies for a few weeks while she is working (I am a sahm, my children are at school).
They have been placed on the Social Services at risk register due to their father who has been manipulative, abusive and neglectful.

Will the SS be visiting me? I thought they might given the circumstances.

If their social worker has been informed, then social services may want to contact you. For example, they may want to check that you have a recent CRB check, have the appropriate registration (be that as a nanny if caring at their home, or as a childminder if providing care at your home) that sort of thing. If your friend has provided you with their social workers contact details, then you could give them a quick call just to let them know the current situation (you should seek your friends permission before making that call, unless by doing so it will put the children at risk).

You should make yourself familiar with your local social services child protection procedures, so you know the correct contact details should you feel the need to contact the duty social worker.

You may also want to check with your friend with regard to any court orders in place which restrict access to the children (such as access by the father, grandparents and other relatives).

Chances are that social services will just be thankful that the children are being cared for by someone - and not have to be put into the care system.

the thing is, I'm not a registered or otherwise childminder, just a friend doing a favour, so I've never had any sort of checks done on me. She did have a childminder arranged, but her husband cancelled the places. Plus she's got no money as he's spent it all so even if she can get places she can't pay for them. She's only just applying for tax credits.

I don't think the father is allowed to see the kids at the moment. (Although she does appear to want him back )

I wouldn't worry too much about being a registered childminder... social services will be more concerned about if you are suitable to care for the children, rather than being registered with a government agency. However, you may breach childcare legislation (assuming you are in England), though there is some provision for providing care for up to 14 days. To get around the existing legislation, all you need to do is care for the children at the children's home, rather than your own... then you are a nanny which does not yet require compulsory registration.

Talk to your friend. See if they have notified the social worker, it may be handy just to keep SS informed. Make sure you know what rights the father has - as that is probably the biggest risk. If he were to turn up at the door - are you legally allowed to prevent him taking the children?

You may find it helpful to post on the LoneParents board, as regulars there will know about things such as court orders preventing exDH's taking their children.

Thanks for the advice.

There is no way I could care for the kids at her house. She lives about 10 miles away. I don't have a car and I have my own children to take to school and collect.

From what she has said the father is only allowed SS supervised visits. I'm fairly certain he'd not come here though even if he knew I had them.

It is a temporary arrangement, 2-3 weeks has been mentioned. She gets paid at the end of the month so will have the money for "proper" child care then.

I'll speak to her later and see if she has informed SS about me.
I'd pass a CRB check and I know my kids school would vouch for me as a responsible parent. The school welfare/mentor lady lives just up the street from me.