Social Worker visit. Can anyone tell me what to expect?

[NameChange79]

Name changed for this as I really can't bear even virtual strangers to know what's going on.

XH received a letter yesterday saying that Social Services have received a referral regarding DS (10 months) and are coming to visit here on Monday.

He called the number and was told it is due to information revealed on a recent CRB check.

Now this time last year he left a teaching position after he was disciplined for "improper conduct". Don't want to go into detail for obvious reasons but suffice to say it was NOT what it sounds. The incident in question happened in the middle of a full classroom with an open door, which was also next to a staff-room (door also open).

All the other students present, bar her 3 closest friends, refuted her allegations. Sadly, as most people are aware I'm sure, the teaching profession really isn't a fair world anymore and he was advised to resign as it would "look better on his record". (We have this advice in writing from the HR dept)

According the the Social Worker he spoke to on the phone she said the referral was relation to "information which was brought to light by a recent CRB check following an incident in his previous job"

I have absolutely no idea what to do. I have never dealt with a Social Worker before and have absolutely no idea what to expect. Are they going to stop XH having unsupervised access to DS? Is he going to be put on some sort of "at risk" register?

I have advised XH to take legal advice about what happened and how the college dealt with it as in my view they didn't follow any of the correct official procedures and IMO treated him appallingly (no written confirmation of anything other than them recommending he resign, no option of taking a witness with him to the initial investigatory meeting, terrible treatment by the HR team doing the questioning etc) but obviously that will take time.

Basically what I'm asking for I suppose is some information so I can prepare myself. I'm absolutely terrified. This whole year has just seemed so surreal and this is just the icing on a crappy, crappy cake

Thank you so much for replying.

I completely agree with you that he shouldn't have resigned. Both myself and his colleagues advised him to fight it all the way but I was very ill and heavily pregnant at the time and he just couldn't cope with it all. I think he just buried his head in the sand and hoped it would all go away.

If you don't mind my asking what would "supervised access" entail? Would it need to be an official "supervisor", or me or would it just mean anyone as long as they're not alone.

I just know this is going to break XH's heart. TBH I blame what happened for ending our marriage. He'd re-trained as an adult to qualify as a teacher, it was his dream job and he loved every minute of it. It was his first permanent position after spending 3 years on supply waiting for an opportunity.

We also spent a long time ttc so my pregnancy being so stressful was a big shock, both DS and I were at risk several times. Dealing with the allegations on top of everything else was just too much for him. He's a shadow of himself these days.

That's helpful thank you.

I know you can't look though a crystal ball for me but just having some frame of reference is really helpful.

What makes it such an impossible situation is that I totally believe that all allegations of this nature should be taken absolutely seriously. I genuinely believe that every allegation should be thoroughly investigated.

What makes me so angry is that this girl (who incidently was on course to fail the module and possibly the whole course) has no concept of the consequences of her actions. One school girl outburst and she has ruined a man's career, changed the course of his whole life.

But I also know I can't blame her, she was a teenager, they're impulsive and dramatic. I know I was. The college should have had the integrity to investigate it properly, not just look for a scapegoat to make it all disappear.

Anyway, just venting now I know!

Thank you for your help, I appreciate it very much.

Try not to panic.

CRB checks don't cover just convictins, they can also contain information from other sources, I know the chief of police can add a note, not sure who else can.

The social worker has a job to do. They will have a look at yoru home. They will probably ask you if you feel safe waith ex having baby and about the incident.

They are not going to snatch your baby.

I know someone who is on the sex offender's register. That person can only have unsepervised contact with anyone under 18 if both social services and the parent know and agree. That is someone with a conviction.

Social work is something I could not do, they have a hard, thankless task to do. They are damned if they take a child and damned if they don't. They have been alerted because of some paper work.

That's reassuring, thank you.

I think what started it all is that he had a letter from the police to tell him what information they would be putting on it.

He had the option of appealing what was said and how they worded it so he did.

The thing is after he left he had a letter from the Safeguarding Authority to say the college had passed on all the details and they didn't think he should be prevented from working with children or vulnerable adults.

They advised that they would place no sanctions on him whatsoever.

Should he show the AW that letter do you think? Would that help?

(Not at all angry with the SW btw, I know she is just doing her job.)

I think you should show the SW all the paperwork etc, be open and honest and see what happens.

I definately think that xh shouldnt have resigned and he should get solicitors advice on this whole matter.

The SW will just ask questions, check your DS is developing well etc. They will probably get references from your GP and HV also. They have a hard job but ultimately they want to keep families together and will try to avoid ceasing xh contact.