Claire's Law

[SprayGunForBanksy]

Does anyone know what the police do with the information I need to submit about my children? Am applying to see if there is anything they will share about my partner.

I am worried that the police will contact my ex for some reason. He was abusive and he will likely use it to try and justify that I am not a fit mother (by considering partnering with someone who I have concerns about) through the courts when I am actually trying to do everything I can to make sure I don't get into another abusive situation before its too late.

I have looked and looked but can't find out online so wondered if Mumsnet knows.

I might know the answers to your question but need a bit more. It's unclear to me why you are providing the police with information about your children - this doesn't sound like Claire's Law.

It's one of the questions in the online application. I was surprised too.

I did find reference to it on my local police forces' website about Claire's law, but it just said we'll ask for information about x y z and one of these was details of children involved. Just not what they then do with that information.

I didn't have to give any information about my children when getting background checks on DH before he was introduced to my children.

Ah OK. It's because you're not entitled as such to the information - the police have to decide if it's proportionate to tell you. To aid them in making this decision, they need to assess your vulnerability. Having small children in the home means you score more 'points' that may tip the balance towards disclosure. If they dont disclose anything, it doesnt mean your new partner is 'safe' - it might be tbe police have decided it would be disproportionate to tell you and / or your partner has never been caught / reportedto the authorities. They will not contact your ex.

Its just so they can have uf you are entitled to the check. Not everyone who wants to run a claires law will be allowed to know that info. They have to gage how much you might require it. So if you have kids that this person might be exposed to, they might be more likely to accept the application. Or there might be offences relevant to kids that you need to be warned of.

*can tell if you are entitled

OK. Thank you for the replies. So it seems like it's just about assessing proportionality re: disclosure rather than anything else? It would be rather a shot in my own foot if exh got wind of the fact that I was doing this and would definitely use it as a stick to beat me with.

Ha, the irony

Sharing with yourcex would be a breach of the DPA. The only exception would potentially be if the police told you your children were at risk and you took no protective steps. But even that's a stretch.

I work in the domestic abuse sector. Police can inform child social services if they believe the children may be at risk of harm from the perpetrator. This is more likely if you are living with the perpetrator.

Thank you all