I will say in advance I have changed some of the unimportant details so as not to be recognisable.
DSD (8) has reported my DH (her dad) to social services for hitting her.
She went home and told her mum, who told her to tell her teacher at school. Slightly questionable move, why not report to SS yourself if you're concerned? DH and DM have a terrible relationship, she always wants to start an argument over something and rarely gives him any info about DSD. When DSD broke her leg, the first DH knew was when he went to pick her up and she had a cast, for example. DM wants to move 3 hours away which which would impact on DHs contact (2 nights per week and half holidays). DH didn't say no but said they'd have to discuss details if moving became a definite plan. This may be behind some of the motives as DM seems to want to stop contact so there is no barrier to moving away.
DSD then told teacher the story (not sure of exact story) who informed SS as duty of care. No issue with this, I understand they have no option but to report and SS have no option but to investigate. As it should be.
SS then ring DH, explain allegations, meet with DH and me, meet with DSD and mum, meet with teacher. Police also involved as any disciplinary physical contact to a child is now illegal here, but decline further involvement after meeting with DSD and mum, saying no case.
SS, after 2 days, declare it all seems foundationless, DSD seems coached, story inconsistent from DSD and mum, and no further concerns.
However, they then recommended that we don't see DSD overnight and don't have her over without an independent witness. They say we cannot be witnesses for each other (obviously). We both have jobs where any grey area of SS involvement in a case like this would be career ending.
What do we do? We have no family or older children to be witnesses. Cannot be alone with DSD without someone else around so couldn't even go to McDonald's or something because we would be alone in the car. DM won't help to facilitate anything by dropping DSD somewhere public. Won't even facilitate a phone call.
What would you do in this situation? Obviously don't want to lose contact but can't risk our livelihoods with further allegations. The only thing I can think of is to go back to court to ask them to ensure mum has to facilitate phone contact and then build up from there. Hopefully when she's a little older she'll understand the ramifications of what she's done and we can trust her to go back to contact in person? How old do you think she'd need to be?
Any help appreciated!