My son has told me, school, a Social Worker (SW) and the GP that he has been physically abused by violence by his father. He has just turned 8 and I have raised him alone since he was a baby. He said he was being hit by the Father 4 years ago but the SW's report was inconclusive and I was told off by the Judge for claiming that the respectable middle class father could possibly have harmed the child!
I was quite satisfied that the physical abuse had stopped but it recently transpired that it started again early this year although he only told me some time after it re-started.
I believe him - he has never made things up before and the father throttled and punched me after he had walked out on the marriage (albeit only once).
The SW started a S47 enquiry and banned the father from weekend contact that should have taken place the next day. There was a strategy meeting last week after which the SW said there was to be no direct contact with the father and that he would collect our son and take him to the father's home next week to observe contact. I responded that it would be upsetting for my son to undertake a 140 mile round trip with a SW, especially bearing in mind the inevitable unpleasantness awaiting him when he got there so I would take him. The response the next day has completely floored me. The SW said that "the only way" to proceed was for the father to collect our son and drive him to his home 90 minutes away where the SW would be waiting to observe contact. He has now refused to collect and return and will not let me take him.
I have asked whether the request to collect came from the father (as it is clear he spoke to him and then did the huge about turn) and he has dodged the question. I find this very alarming - the father who was banned from contact is suddenly and inexplicably allowed 90 minutes in a car alone with the child and the SW claims that the risk is "minimal" because he will be waiting at the other end. For a car that doesn't arrive maybe?!!! Is this normal or right? What on earth should I do? I don't trust the father one jot.
The SW claimed that I was being ridiculous to think he'd "discreetly turn around and punch him knowing a SW was waiting at the other end." I pointed out that my fear was that he'd do something a little more permanent than this. He's facing criminal proceedings, the loss of a £100k salary, has no friends and his partner may well leave him if she finally wakes up and smells the coffee.
I'm utterly distraught so any advice from SWs or solicitors especially would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.