Social services

[Louiee11]

Need some advice for my friend
So she’s currently 38 weeks pregnant and she’s got social involvement with this pregnancy due to her last child but it’s all getting better
She’s recently got in touch over call with her old mate in prison and been in touch for few days she’s worried that it’s now gonna go against her
he’s in prison for class a or b drugs
He isn’t the baby’s father at all
Does anyone know what would happen or if they would find out ?

I can’t see how they’d find out. But if they do it’s obviously not going to look great is it?

If I had ss involvement in my life I’d do everything I could to be as squeaky clean as possible and not give them the chance to find a potential stick to beat me with.

And honestly why would you want people involved in drugs (involved so deeply that they were given a custodial sentence for it) around your child anyway, regardless of whether it’s a ss risk or not? It’s obviously a questionable decision.

If they think she's in a relationship with him and that she's being dishonest about him- and he is part of their concerns about her ie getting involved with dangerous/ inappropriate men - then they could potentially obtain evidence from the prison: all calls are recorded. However, if he's in for class B drugs and has no history of violence, I wouldn't have thought it would be the main focus of their attention. What were their concerns initially? Is she in pre-proceedings or just a Child protection plan? What are their worries?

Also, if he's an old mate and it is genuinely a one - off call, then she shouldn't worry. But SWs are not stupid. Every mother who is involved with a risky male spins that same old yarn. It's easy to see through.

You don't say why she had social services involvement in the past. That could make a difference. She should definitely stop contact with the friend prison it could raise concerns she does not need to be mixing with people involved with drugs

She’s had social involvement with her first due to her not being able to cope at a very young parent , so they obviously had to get involved with this other baby there isn’t concerns off her parenting
all she wants to know is would social services find out that she’s been talking to someone in prison or not

That's a good litmus test. Would I be comfortable with SS knowing I've done x or been in contact with y. If not don't do it.

It isn't as simple as can they find out or not. Just asking that question indicates a certain mindset and an intention not to be open and honest.
The bigger picture is, can she parent her children well enough to ensure that they grow and thrive?
This means putting their welfare first and not being in contact with dubious people, (drugs, violence, crime, etc) who might adversely affect or influence them.

I think the answer is maybe. If they think she is in danger of allowing an unsuitable person into her life that could be of risk then they might start to ask questions and find out about the phone call. They might also ask questions if they think that she is hiding an issue from them too

My advice to her would be. Try not to worry unduly but have no further contact with this man. Answer questions honestly so if they ask her then she should say she has had a couple of calls but not any more. They may check up on the call record but if they see it was just a couple of calls then nothing I think that wouldn't be too problematic.

How would they find out that’s she’s been in contact with him though ?

I think a Social Worker might sense if she was being defensive/ less than open and start asking her questions about who she had been in contact with. She would be wise to answer honestly at that point. If she doesn't then the Social Worker might feel she is hiding something and ask even more questions.

It shouldn't be a problem though if she has no further contact with this man.

It is beginning to sound though as if this friend wants to continue the friendship with this man and hide it from the Social Worker. Obviously when he leaves prison this will cause issues. If she isn't intending to have contact when he leaves then why is she continuing to have contact now.

This really isn't a place where she should try and see what she can get away with. The risks are too great.

Also, why would she want to risk a drug dealer around her child anyway?

Situation is a little different. But my daughter spoke to her ex who was in prison for domestic violence towards her. She did speak to him whilst he was in prison. Social services did find out. And there ended up being a PLO which meant dd almost had her child taken away . Luckily she did not. I know the situation is not the same . But if Social services feel this person is a risk due to involvement with drugs then you never know its not worth the risk. Keep away from people like that it's not worth the risk .

I think that as a parent you need to consider whether any person that you bring into your, and as an extension your child's life is a good addition.

Regardless of the specific reason for their incarceration, it seems unlikely that this person is going to be a positive addition to the life of a woman with a child and who is heavily pregnant and imminently going to have a baby to take care of.

The decision shouldnt be based on whether Social Services can find out, will find and what they would do. It should be based on whether having this person present in their life will be good for the child they already have and the child that's coming.

With regard whether Social services will know she's spoken to a prisoner. I don't think they'll be notified or will be checking phone records, but it won't look good if they were to find out she has actively started a relationship with a criminal at a point where there is already social services involvement in her parenting.

During the resettlement process it's usual for the community probation officer to liaise with the prison offender manager, this is to ensure the correct licence conditions are applied, this may also include who he has had visiting/on his PINS (the list of phone numbers he can contact) , if there are concerns the probation officer will make a referral to social care. Which wouldn't look good for your friend who is already known to them. It also depends on his risk level etc what licence conditions he can have , they can include but try have contact with U18s , to notify the probation officer of any developing personal or intimate relationship (that includes friends) , to reduce at an speed premises, to provide IMEI, only have one phone, curfews, drug testing, non associations with names individuals , exclusion zones, non contact with victims and a lot of others. I would also be sceptical this is just an old friend, he's had to go to the effort of finding out her number having it added to his PINS and using up his phone credits to call her, you don't do that for casual acquaintance.

Your ‘friend’ might want to consider whether her acquaintance in prison is more or less important than her children.

Also you say class a or b drugs, you don't go to prison for possession, and rarely for possession with intent to supply unless it's repeat offending, so he's more likely to be in for being concerned in the supply of or importation of Class A/B both, there may also be links to county lines, OCGs, weapons, that are common in the drug trade. None of this should be anywhere near children, and would rightly be assessed as a risk by both probation and social care.

In answer to your question they may not find out however prison / probation / police / social services all have information sharing agreements particularly when it comes to safeguarding so I wouldn't rule out that they may find out.
The bigger question is if she's not prepared to be honest about her contact with this person should she be having contact with him.

Clearly ain’t me at all I’ve already got 3 kids no more for me
what do you mean instigated contact ?

How did the social find out ?

So she’s not with this guy but they do like eachother , I’m just wondering for her sake if social are either going to find out

So the probation officer could contact social services ?

They will if they have any inkling he's been in contact with a female with children prior to release , which they will know from his PINS/visitor record

I imagine they would take a dim view as it shows poor judgement and indicates she may not be able to prioritise the safety of herself and her child.

Why would she “like” a man in prison for drug offences ? WTF. Especially while social services are involved.

She doesn’t sound able to protect her children tbh.