I’m writing this as a mum who just wanted to keep my little boy safe. He’s autistic, he struggles to explain himself clearly, but over and over he told me his dad was hitting him. He even told his school in September 2023 that his dad smacked him. He said it again in January and again in June this year.
I did everything you’re supposed to do. I called social services. I told them every time. They didn’t act. They didn’t properly ask him what happened. They didn’t even start a risk assessment for over a year.
When they finally did, they made it sound like there was just one “vague” incident. They ignored the pattern. They told me it was fine. Meanwhile they put my partner Nick through endless checks even though my son never said Nick hit him after January, and even then he was pressured into saying it.
I spent weeks and hundreds of pounds preparing evidence for court—school notes, timelines, everything my little boy had said. The judge didn’t even look at it. CAFCASS didn’t answer any of my emails when I tried to correct their report. They made me feel like I didn’t matter. Like my son didn’t matter.
I walked out of court feeling like I’d failed him. But the truth is the system failed us.
Social services ignored urgent calls for help. They withheld information about other allegations for over a year. They let him keep going back to someone he said was hurting him.
I’m left depressed, anxious, in debt from legal fees—all because I tried to do the right thing. I wanted to be a good mum. I wanted my little boy to feel safe and heard.
No one listened.
I’m writing this because other families deserve to know how it feels when the people meant to help you decide you’re the problem instead of protecting your child.
I never wanted a fight. I just wanted my son safe.