Hi there, I live in the UK.
I feel I am being harassed by a neighbour, they keep complaining about me to the local authority (council) about minor things and things I've not done. However whenever I have complained, the local authority have not taken action against them but they have taken steps to take action against me. I feel as if it's not one neighbour it's several of them who are friends.
I received a letter from Social Services yesterday regarding my youngest child not being dressed appropriately for the weather, which I obviously deny. Not only that, but apparently my youngest is covering her ears, the letter doesn't describe much until the end where it assumes she is in some pain she must go see a GP.
Funny thing is, I've mentioned my eldest daughters ears to the local authority because the downstairs flat is violently slamming their door up until 11pm at night. It has caused us both anxiety as we can hear the door open and we then wait for the door slam, there is a moment of silence before the front door is slammed so hard it shakes the floorboards in the furthest room, so we are always waiting in anticipation of how loud the door is going to be to prepare ourselves, my eldest grabs her ears a little bit before if she's lucky to but mostly after as the noise rings in your ear.
On this letter it says Social Services will not take action at this time. However as you can imagine, I am extremely upset by this; when this all started on the 24th May, when I was spoken to face to face by an unexpected anti social behaviour officer, I asked "What am I going to be complained about next? Social Services?" ...and there you have it. I have been complained about to Social Services.
So a few weeks ago I submitted a Residency Order in favour of their father knowing that they were going to keep complaining as I have heard them bitching about me and making up conversations we never had. Both my children will also be moving out half of the week to their dads, which does give me an opportunity to have some me time and decorate. The place I live in is council, but there's so many problems with the walls (plaster coming off thanks to downstairs slamming their door so forcefully) so I can re-decorate properly as I feel that's going to be used against me.
Since yesterday I decided to keep another evidence diary (I have one for anti social behaviour and loud noises that no one asked me to keep and no one has bothered to ask to see, despite me telling them about it) on what my daughters wear before going out, I take a screenshot of the date, time and the weather. The fact I've had to do all this shows that I'm fearful and I feel I'm not going to be believed. It's practically taking over my life but I feel I have to do it as back up.
Q: So my question is, once the Residency Order is filed, what is Social Services stance in becoming involved?
Q: Do they have/will they to apply to a judge to gain access to my property?
Please advice what they can and cannot do
I completely understand if there is a life threatening reason for them to become involved, mental, emotional and verbal abuse and/or physical or sexual abuse. But that is not the case in my home.