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Legal matters

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Social services decisions

90 replies

user1485708720 · 09/06/2019 00:19

Can social services decisions be challenged?
I have recently had a decision made by my social worker meaning my partner can not see my children. Ex bad tried to block him and has started brain washing our kids against me and my partner. We've been told twice by SS that partner can set the

OP posts:
hopeonarope · 10/06/2019 15:04

I don't have an answer for you, but thought it might help if I bump this thread for you in case anyone else can help.

RedHelenB · 11/06/2019 06:35

It would depend on the reasons SS think your partner shouldn't see the children.

BeardedMum · 11/06/2019 06:40

It can be challenged in court

user1485708720 · 11/06/2019 14:33

They are saying the reason is he has a criminal record he doesn't have parenting experience and suffers from mental health. The criminal record he can't get away from but that is the least of their worries, so they say. The parenting experience is just a joke, thousands of step parents have no parenting experience and good mental health is really well managed, no drugs, he has a mental health nurse but she is closing his case.

My feeling is cos dad is so against me moving on with anyone he is shouting from the rooftops about his concerns and they know how much he will kick off so they have backtracked

OP posts:
Ishoos · 11/06/2019 14:34

I have no experience but could he offer to go on a parenting course?

FenellaVelour · 11/06/2019 19:20

Why would he need to parent if you are there?

They must have other more significant reasons for believing he may be a risk to your children. I would ask them to explain these risks to you and what their specific concerns are. Have they said what action they would take if he does see the children?

MissMalice · 11/06/2019 19:42

What is the criminal record?

user1485708720 · 11/06/2019 20:28

Sexual offence against an adult female over 25 years ago. Been addressed by SS sexual risk assessment as a low risk to the kids which is the lowest any man could get. They advised contact to start saying there wad nothing to prevent it

OP posts:
user1485708720 · 11/06/2019 20:30

If he sees the children they would seek legal advice. Or support my ex to go for custody. Ex is useless, he can't provide basic care. My partner's probation worker thinks its madness.

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CodenameVillanelle · 11/06/2019 20:31

You can totally ignore any recommendations that social workers make. But if you do that and insist on having your criminal sex offender boyfriend around your children don't be surprised if they end up on child protection plans...and possibly ultimately in court. Do you not have higher expectations for yourself and your children? There are lots of men out there who DON'T have criminal records for sexual offences Hmm

user1485708720 · 11/06/2019 20:31

He can't access his local children's services parenting course ad he isn't an active patebt

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 11/06/2019 20:33

Right. So you know what the answer is already. Do you want to have to argue to a judge why you thought it was so important for your sex offender boyfriend to be round your children that you ended up in court?

MissMalice · 11/06/2019 20:33

Is he a lot older than you?

CodenameVillanelle · 11/06/2019 20:34

They advised contact to start saying there wad nothing to prevent it

WHO advised this? Because social services can't be recommending contact to start and also saying they will go to court at the same time.

gatsby2019 · 11/06/2019 20:34

Agree with codename, why would you want him around your children? And if I were the other parent I would be making my concerns known too

MissMalice · 11/06/2019 20:34

Why do you have a social worker?

wishingforapositiveyear · 11/06/2019 20:37

Really ....... For fucks sake he has a criminal record for sexual offences, why would you want him to even meet your kids

Weezol · 11/06/2019 20:43

If he's currently under probation it sounds like he is still an active criminal - it's likely that has some impact on SS decision making.

FartMachine · 11/06/2019 20:45

So you want to know how to allow your sex offender boyfriend have access to your dc’s? Also how would his ex be brainwashing your kids? Why would the ex be around your kids?

Bookworm4 · 11/06/2019 20:47

Have you posted about this before? Sounds very familiar. So your wise parenting choice is to have a sex offender who is on probation; for a recent crime; in your children’s lives?
Read that and see how it looks to everyone else.
Is he really the best you can do? No wonder their dad doesn’t want this reprobate near his kids.

HermioneMakepeace · 11/06/2019 20:49

Why does he have a probation officer?

elliejjtiny · 11/06/2019 20:51

I don't know about the legal stuff but I know you deserve so much better than this man.

ems137 · 11/06/2019 20:58

If the offence was over 25 years ago it was either REALLY bad or he's committed crimes since then to have a probation officer still?

twattymctwatterson · 11/06/2019 21:00

You can't be for real. Is he on life license? The fact that you think someone who's committed that kind of crime is suitable to have as a partner and around your children demonstrates that you're unable to make sensible decisions regarding keeping them safe

Tinketytonkoldfruit · 11/06/2019 21:03

Social services can't stop contact with parents or their partners, friends, family - only a court can do that. Legally you can exercise your PR as you see fit unless a court has made a ruling. Big but coming though - if social services feel that the risks posed by your partner put the children at risk of significant harm they can consider statutory intervention which could be child protection planning or in the most extreme cases applying to court to remove the children (a judge is the one that actually makes this decision & there is a very high threshold to be met for this to happen).

If you are insistant on remaining in a relationship with him you could arrange to meet with your social worker & manager so they can (again I imagine) clearly lay out the risks and consequences of contact. You could then seek legal advice. You need to consider though is he really worth this & do you really want to prioritise this relationship.