getting together information and support for EVERYONE in the child protection system

[Spero]

I am posting here, mainly because I am not sure what I am doing and I don't want to do anything against the rules or contrary to the site ethos.

In a nutshell, a lot of us have been contributing to various threads since before Christmas about the child protection system in the UK and all the controversy that has arisen since the case of Alessandra Pacchieri and the issue of 'forced adoption'.

We have perspectives from every part of the child protection system - there are birth parents, adoptive parents, social workers, lawyers etc and we think it could be a good idea to try to do something to bring us all together, to help people get access to information that is balanced and useful, particularly if they are facing care proceedings or worried they might be.

At the moment, we are thinking a blog could help, with different people providing short posts about their experiences and providing links to other sources that we know are credible and reliable. This could be very valuable for all of us - I am a lawyer for e.g. but I would love to know more about what doctors working in child protection are looking out for, and I would like to get more perspectives from birth parents about what they think is good or bad about the system.

We are also wondering if there could be a separate topic in 'Parenting' - Dealing with child Protection issues or similar, which could link to the blog, once we get if off the ground.

So sorry quite a lot of info there. Trying to précis

1. We have a lot of untapped knowledge and experience and would like to pull it altogether to provide a good source of reliable and balanced advice
2. We would like to start a blog, does anyone want to contribute or can think of snappy name?
3. We would like to use the power of mumsnet to steer people towards our information and provide another platform for discussion and debate

4.What's the best way of going about this?

Any comments, thoughts welcomed.

Dammit! She's slippery.

A bit late to this, I know. But I'd welcome input from someone who could advise on how the friends of those caught in the CP can help or support - what they should say or do, what would be unhelpful or make things worse. I think it'd be best written by someone like inlovewithgarp, who could explain what she had needed from those around her at the time.

Thats a brilliant idea - maybe garp can include some reference to this in what she is going to write next week (nag nag nag) or we could have a separate category on the website on how best to support friends or family going through this.

And so the nagging begins I would be proud to do so, yes. I can actually ask one of my best friends to write something too? We are still "going through it" so it may be a release for her to do so! Will ask her today

garp, the nagging will never end...

Enjoy your weekend! bwhahahahah.

Good news: it looks like we will be moving to a .org address and looking dead professional very soon.

If all the contributors come good by the end of next week (nag, nag naggity nag) we will be ready for official launch and to request link to mumsnet bloggers network!

I hope this link works and will inspire contributors!

Garp your post is up on Mythbusting - I hope what I have said is ok, please let me know if it isn't.

I think the site is looking beautiful. Thankyou to those with greater techy genius than I for making this possible (that's pretty much everyone by the way)
childprotectionresource.wordpress.com/

Ooooh re .org it's v exciting! Do you know, it will be such a useful resource for terrified birth parents. There genuinely is nothing like it - I know, I trawled the internet looking at 9 months pregnant. Just think Spero - now when The Theorists come on you can just link to that instead of banging head against brick wall arguing with the buggers. You will be like serene being

Garp I have just edited it to make reference to your child gender neutral as I note you were careful to do that in your post.

Of course the main reason for doing this was to save myself repetitive strain injury in the future, I can just cut and paste one simple link now!!

Ah thank you - I appreciate that. I just don't want to run the risk of anything identifying, whilst also balancing that with a strong desire to help other parents.

I have started writing my "bit". I have tears already...

Sorry to put you through this. But I hope that it will save some other parents from pain, and also their children too.

I think your posts are very articulate and very powerful and deserve the widest possible audience.

I think the site is looking fab. And it's such a great achievement. Everyone involved should take a bow. A huge bow with massive applause. You are making a huge difference.

No Spero - honestly, this means an awful lot to me. I'm teary reflecting on how far I've come, how hard I've worked, and for the first time in my life I am proud of myself. I just want to help other parents to know they've done everything in their power to keep their children safe and in their lives, in whatever capacity.

• the only thing I would take out of the quote from me is the "even posting here" bit, just as there's no ref to where "here" is

thanks, will edit that out.

thanks edam. Knowledge is power, I hope. And I hope it is an antidote to fear so that people won't do crazy things, like leave the country.

I have taken it out and replaced with [...] to show that I have removed something. I don't ever want to be accused of 'editing' these pieces to prove some agenda so I want people's actual words to go up, minus anything they don't feel comfortable about sharing of course.

Ah yes, "transparency" is the new watch word you know

I think it's a wonderful idea. I'm currently in a situation where my dn is under a child protection order initially due to concerns over his dm's partner and now also because of emotional harm. My DB lives with me so I'm very involved in dm's life but not strictly speaking in the care proceedings. We are at the stage where DB and Dm have had a letter before proceedings and have signed a contract about what behavior is required.

I have found some fantastic advise on mn although I have often had to separate the wheat from the chaff (and I was often only able to do this by 'knowing' certain posters and their background). The web in General seems to only have legal information (in mainly technical terms) or unhelpful and dangerous suggestions from conspiracy theorists.

I would love to help but I'm not sure in what capacity, possibly as an extended family members perspective of proceedings?

Yes please Whiter, write us a short post about your experiences, what you found useful, what you didn't find useful, anything at all really. It always helps people to know they are not alone.

KLAXON PARENTS!
I have just put up first bit on General Legal Principles where I try to simply explain what is meant by 'Signficant harm'.

I would really appreciate it if you could have a look and tell me what you think - have I pitched it right, is it clear, is it too wordy, what would you like to see instead etc, etc.

This most definitely is not intended to be some vanity project - this must have real benefit and value for those who use it.

Oooh, how did I miss all this going on?!

The new site looks great. I'm struggling on what I can contribute, will have a think. Maybe something on the official statistics (ie not the "many thousands" airy fairy numbers often bandied around)?

Weregoingtothezoo - are you ok with me linking to your blog on the parents section?

Or do you want to write something particular?

Families, the Myth Busting section needs you now!

No problem I don't have access to a PC until Monday can you pm me an email address and I'll send you something.

ooo good another Name for My Nag List!

you may regret this...

I have no knowledge/experience to add here but just wanted to say how awesome you all are, especially Spero, for doing this. I am in total awe of how amazing this place is at times. Watching all this unfold, to get to here and beyond, is truly fantastic.

Not sure if it's helpful but I found this link really useful at explaining the procedures in a clear and factual way.

www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/protecting-the-vulnerable/care-proceeding-reform/parents-pack.pdf