Giving a statement to social services?

[WonderingWhatToDo2020]

I've name changed for this, as I don't want to link this question to my usual user name.

I may be in a position where social services will ask me to give a statement against someone I know but I am concerned about anonymity.

I could give a generic statement, and just talk about the people involved in a general sense but this would presumably have less weight than if it was backed up by examples and experience. However, to give any context would almost certainly reveal to the people involved who I am which could land me with a lot of problems.

I've never had to do anything like this before so any guidance gratefully received - can social services take a statement completely anonymously, and would they accept a statement if, devoid of identifying information, it didn't carry information/examples to back up what I said?

Just do the right thing, especially if children are concerned.

They can accept anonymous referrals but if you don't say what's actually happened they cannot act.

To clarify, social services are already involved, it would be a supporting statement to back up what I am fairly sure they already know.

Makes no difference whether they know it or not. You have a moral duty to pass it on.

Just like with a police investigation, evidence from more than one source is more convincing than one sole report

My question is about the process and whether Social Services can keep what I may tell them confidential, or whether it would have to be revealed in court.

What aspect concerns you if they find out the person is you? Are you worried they could cause you and your family harm?

Are social services involving the police in this? Who is the statement for? Is it a child safety issue or vulnerable adult? Physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse?

What evidence can you give? What will happen to their investigation if you refused to cooperate?

Ultimately, if you believe you'll be put at risk by supporting an investigation, that's a bit of different from creating an uncomfortable family rift. Do you forsee a time when you'd want to have a good relationship with the person anyway?

It would be that I am potentially at risk, yes.

The evidence I could give would give evidence of recent behaviour, much as the individual in question might wish to say they’ve changed their ways (there has been previous social services involvement). If I didn’t give a statement it may well not make a huge amount of difference, depending on whether Social Services decide that it’s enough of a cut and dried case that there isn’t any question over what would happen.

My question is whether Social Services can keep what I might tell them completely confidential, or whether it would have to be disclosed.

To clarify, this is absolutely not a case of wanting to avoid uncomfortableness., or a bit of awkwardness. As it happens I have absolutely no time for the person involved.

I am struggling to see the point of an anonymous statement with out examples of the concerns in it.

If your worry is that only you would have witnessed the abuse or neglect for example then you can give an anonymous report but the perpetrators will be able to identify you so it may not be a sensible choice.

You can give an anonymous referral, with dc you could do so through the NSPCC to give you more distance.
What is actually in the best interest of however the vulnerable person in the situation is?

I think you should discuss this openly with SSD. Tell them what your concerns are about giving a statement. They will have heard this before and are used to protecting confidentiality where appropriate. They will also be able to tell you situations where is would be hard to provide total anonymity (even if only by inference) and also get the right outcome for the children.

If your worry is that only you would have witnessed the abuse or neglect for example then you can give an anonymous report but the perpetrators will be able to identify you so it may not be a sensible choice.

This is the case. If Social Services couldn’t take into account what I say without having to reveal it to the person involved - either directly or in court - then I wouldn’t get involved. The case is serious enough that this isn’t something SS would take lightly and I’m not sure that I wouldn’t be telling them anything they don’t already know anyway.

As I’ve asked before, can Social Services keep what I may tell them to themselves and only reveal it to, say, a judge in a way that the person involved won’t hear it?

You use the words statement and evidence...what do you mean but this?

Do you mean if you call up and tell social care xyz can they keep it confidential that the info came from you?

Is this a friend/family member I assume, and not someone you work with in a professional capacity?

Thing is if the information is specific (eg I witnessed x say y to the child) the parents are likely to know it came from you anyway.
M

I am struggling to see the point of an anonymous statement with out examples of the concerns in it.

Because the examples would give me away as to exactly who I am. If SS can keep the examples confidential and say to a judge “We have a statement to say that X is unstable but we can’t say more than that” then that’s one thing, but if they have to say “We have a statement from a [insert relationship] who’ve said they’ve witnessed these scenarios” then that’s very different.

You use the words statement and evidence...what do you mean but this?

I have absolutely no idea how SS work so those are generic terms. I’m not going to say how I know this person but I am asking if SS can keep what I would tell them to themselves. If they are going to tell the person in question exactly what I’ve said then clearly not.

You can pass on information anonymously to social care or via NSPCC. Though honestly as a social worker I did not find anonymous information helpful at all.
Saying “An anonymous person told us the parents are still using drugs” is not going to be anyway near as useful as saying “the children’s aunt has witnessed parents unable to care for the children due to influence of
Drugs on x y z dates”.

I’d just call and talk to the social worker directly about your concerns. I’m not sure if they can give info to the judge without the parents seeing it. I doubt it to be honest as parents and their legal representative would have copies of social work statement etc. Might be worth checking as I don’t know for sure though .

I don't see how details can be kept from them as surely they have a legal right to refute your accusations as part of their case/defence and they can't do that without knowing exactly what the accusation is.

@BentBastard

I don't see how details can be kept from them as surely they have a legal right to refute your accusations as part of their case/defence and they can't do that without knowing exactly what the accusation is.

Yep I’m pretty sure your right. I guess the social worker could write in their statement that family members have passed on x y z details without naming anyone specifically. From what you’ve said though the details of the situation will reveal you anyway.

I assume you mean the case might be going to court for a care order?

Is this a situation you are likely to witness again? Or a one off that has happened and you won’t likely be witness to again?

If the case is in court, the information cannot be given just to the Judge - all parties (eg the parents) have the right to challenge evidence and so need to see any statements. You could ask to be kept anonymous, but a Judge wouldn't be able to give any weight to what you say because the Judge wouldn't be able to assess how credible you are.

If social services are asking you to give a statement in a court case, I would ask to speak to the Local Authority solicitor who will be able to advise on these issues.

I'm pretty sure that SS do their own investigation and search out their own evidence based on information received eg if a neighbour reports hearing screaming at bedtime then a SW would ask the child general questions to try to get the child to talk about bedtime, whether they feel safe, what makes mummy/daddy happy/cross etc they would then use the child's responses as evidence. If there's been a report of drug taking then, like any incident evidence would need to be found (or in the case of family courts- strong suspicion) eg child reports that parent smokes funny smelling cigarettes and can't be woken or drug paraphernalia is seen by SW (but not bagged as evidence as in a police investigation) so your evidence would be used to direct the SS investigation unless the police are involved due to criminal activity

The difference seems to be between (as an example) "X is drinking again and can be violent when drinking" and "on 14 November I was at X's house. X's child was in bed and X was responsible for the child. X drank 1/2 a bottle of vodka and deliberately smashed a window". The latter being something you'd only know if you were a witness to it, so would definitely be an identifiable source.

Is this case currently in the court system OP?

If it isn't you are probably talking about making a child protection referral.

You need to be able to give specific examples of the concerns you are raising but you can stay anonymous. People can stay anonymous but events can't.

Staying anonymous is much less effective at keeping children safe.

One thing to consider is if it is this scary for you as an adult to report this behavior how much scarier must be to be living as a dependent child in the situation.

@WonderingWhatToDo2020

If your worry is that only you would have witnessed the abuse or neglect for example then you can give an anonymous report but the perpetrators will be able to identify you so it may not be a sensible choice.

This is the case. If Social Services couldn’t take into account what I say without having to reveal it to the person involved - either directly or in court - then I wouldn’t get involved. The case is serious enough that this isn’t something SS would take lightly and I’m not sure that I wouldn’t be telling them anything they don’t already know anyway.

As I’ve asked before, can Social Services keep what I may tell them to themselves and only reveal it to, say, a judge in a way that the person involved won’t hear it?

No, that's impossible Any evidence will be shared with all parties in court

@WonderingWhatToDo2020

You use the words statement and evidence...what do you mean but this?

I have absolutely no idea how SS work so those are generic terms. I’m not going to say how I know this person but I am asking if SS can keep what I would tell them to themselves. If they are going to tell the person in question exactly what I’ve said then clearly not.

Do you actually know that this case is in court or are you just confused about the system? Most cases don't go into court and referrals are often given anonymously but no, they can't act on your information without sharing the information with the parents even if they keep your name anonymous.