Social work question

[anon0704]

Would a social worker outright tell a parent that they would be the better home for a child, without doing any kind of investigation?

Some back info: After my ex and I split two years ago, social work was involved because he tried to kill himself with DS in the house. They eventually closed the case, as we worked out the issues (visitation, etc), but had strongly recommended supervised visitation to me.

Roll up today and he tells me over the phone that social work said two years ago he would be the better residence for DS.

I'm banking on the fact this is a load of BS, but I need some reassurance. Thanks.

Trying to kill oneself with a child in the property is an excellent demonstration they cannot put their child's safety and mental health first, so what is suggested is highly unlikely.

I was pretty sure he was talking out his ass.

By residence did they mean the actual physical house?

If they said to you that visits to him should be supervised, it would have been duplicitous of the worker to have said to him that the child should be left with him. Of course that could have happened but it probably didn't.

@Shayisgreat

By residence did they mean the actual physical house?

If they said to you that visits to him should be supervised, it would have been duplicitous of the worker to have said to him that the child should be left with him. Of course that could have happened but it probably didn't.

Yeah actual house. At the time I was waiting to be housed cause he had kicked me out and there was no way I was gonna leave DS there.

Then yeah the worker may have said that his house was more suitable. Doesn't change the fact that the overall decision/recommendation was that child remained with you. It's surprising that you weren't told that though. Was it not in the assessment report?

People are often selective in their memories of conversations.

If he wants residence then he is free to apply to the courts. A new assessment of both your living circumstances can then be undertaken.

@Shayisgreat

Then yeah the worker may have said that his house was more suitable. Doesn't change the fact that the overall decision/recommendation was that child remained with you. It's surprising that you weren't told that though. Was it not in the assessment report?

The case was closed out because they didn't find anything that warranted their further involvement. It was only reported to them because I called the police when he kept threatening further harm to himself. This was over two years ago too, so it doesn't particularly matter now. He's just trying to get to me. I just wanted peace of mind a social worker wouldn't say that when he was the reason we were referred in the first place.

So there never was a full assessment report issued because they didn't think there needed to be. I have primary care.

Sounds like nonsense to me. Being charitable, it may be what your ex heard, but I doubt the sw would have said it.

Social workers may make recommendations, but only a judge can decide where a child lives. As pp says, if your ex wants ds to live with him, he is free to apply to the courts.

Thank you for your input :-) I feel a bit better now.

I ended up calling social services. They said there is nothing on the file that even indicates they would have made that recommendation.