To be devastated on being informed I'm being 'investigated'?

[PreviouslyonLost]

Was going to namechange for this but too upset and agitated to concentrate on the minutiae of MN details

I am a Social Worker. A number of weeks ago I reported a child protection concern as soon as I became aware of it. The information was a number of days old from the child's 'carer'. The information also involved other siblings.

Action was taken to protect a resident sibling. The other siblings are not in the care of the parents and another senior professional who has overall responsibility for the care of the other siblings informed me that they had visited the 'carers' and was satisfied that nothing further than action already taken would result (Resident child removed, supervised access and contact for other siblings, as had already been instigated by myself prior to allegation due to 'gut' instinct and historical knowledge).

I am now informed that I am under investigation (presumably for the supposed time delay in passing on the initial information) and was informed that I would now be 'non-operational' during the investigation and expected to work in a location >72 miles (one way) on a DAILY basis until the investigation is complete.

I advised that due to having two small children, and my Husband's work pattern, he works away from home for weeks at a time, this would not be possible - after some telephone calls manager 'offered' me alternative of a location >50 miles away (again, one way, on a daily basis). If I go off 'sick' investigation will not go forward, however I am aghast that I will be expected to sit and twiddle my thumbs, amidst colleagues from a previous job who will all be 'curious' as to why I am there. The person carrying out the 'investigation' is now on Annual Leave and will not return for two weeks, therefore I will languish in an old workplace, subject to enquiries, gossip, and speculation until such time as 'investigation' is commenced/completed.

My question is...once I have (finally) been interviewed, if I go off sick then, would the investigation continue (I expect to be completely exonerated, but am horrified at what I'm being expected to undergo in the meantime). Any advice gratefully received.

Many thanks.

Dear MrsMagnolia, thank you for replying.

I agree that my 'job' makes me ripe for regular scrutiny...wouldn't have it any other way...just concerned that I have been given two conflicting 'stories' regarding the way things would proceedv - Fortunately I have contemporary notes of discussions etc, still wary of the 'blame' having to land somewhere (and the 'carers' are fabulous and one million % more responsible than the birth parents...sad for all concerned).

I intend to speak to Unison tomorrow (first opportunity) however, I am based in a very rural area and all 'reps' are employed by the same Local Authority as I am! Not so easy to be impartial if you catch my drift!

I am just so saddened by being sent to 'Coventry' and 'shamed' in this way when I have nothing to hide...my reputation is on the line and I strive to protect my 'up at 3am to write a report, driving >700 miles in a week to see vulnerable young people, taking time away from my own children to care/protect/visit the children of others' consciousness to a 24/7 job...so sad that it's come to this after 22 years of dedication, stress, and worry.

I think that my employer's 'alternatives' are not that, better to 'suspend' me? But that would cost money? I have only had 7 years employment with this L.A.

Many thanks for your helpful post and advice, gratefully received.

No advice but sympathetic to the frustration. I've just been grilled about some information I took to work and although I did things by the book its v difficult going over & over it and the fact there is the risk to my career if someone believes the 'other side'.

Oh & get union/manager to agree to you starting travel in work time & make sure they agree to pay the mileage.

HJisoffwork...totally agree re: risk to my career. Not even parent/service user that blew the whistle. Was ME! and now I (we) find ourselves in an awful situation.

Just want to say my piece, and not be shamed by having to obviously be the one who everyones else is talking about...you know how workplaces are.

Gutted beyond belief.

Mileage a HUGE issue at £1.50 a litre locally, thank you - great advice.

They are all just glad it's not them.

Ours is £1.50 too. Mileage is about 30p a mile. Don't do v well on it even with my little car!

HJisoffwork They are all just glad it's not them...true.

Are they expecting you to work from the other office? What about visits etc?

What does your contract say? In the absence of anything specific I would say it's unreasonable expecting you to travel so far!

Have you had the relevant safeguarding and whistleblowing training? It is usual practice to look for an alternative to suspension if possible - most people are keen to avoid this. The purpose of the transfer is to allow the investigation to take place unhindered. There is no presumption of guilt, but your employers will be looking to ensure that they have operated within the correct procedures, not just you. So there is an element of arse covering, so they will follow the safeguarding procedures to the letter. What you have described is absolutely normal - I work in a similar field.

Not sure why you are talking about going off sick - the investigation will still need to happen and will be hanging over you while you are off sick. Far better to face it head on. Absolutely agree with what the other poster said about negotiating travel time. Again, in a local authority I would expect them to be flexible about this, as well as paying for your additional mileage.

It goes without saying that you should be cooperative about this. The investigating officer will be mindful of the impact on you but will be expected to follow procedures and make the required reports to the relevant agencies. I hope all goes well for you.

Also - the union reps will be able to refer you to a regional officer if necessary but I would suggest that a rep who understands the whistleblowing/safeguarding policies would be a better bet for you. There are usually quite a few knocking around Social Services depts. I've always found them to be pretty good.

HJisoffwork Expecting me to literally 'twiddle my thumbs' - Non-operational whilst being investigated means I cannot do anything connected with my job.

ohdearwhatdoidonow At risk of outing myself, I am currently seconded to a different post. DID ask for a 'new' contract - wasn't forthcoming, so expect L.A will say I am beholden to T&C's of initial contract - no mention of out of area posts, but catch-all 'as directed by' will be used.

You will fall under the T&Cs of local government - so additional mileage would normally be paid in these circumstances. It will be the difference between your normal travel to work mileage and the additional incurred by the transfer.

Llareggub Thank you for posting, and your advice.

I am truly aghast at this, never experienced anything similar in >22 years in the field. Stress of having to 'work' twiddle thumbs alongside previous post colleagues is getting to me (nosey folk, as HJisoffwork said 'they're glad it's not them' - true to the nth degree, but doesn't stop people gossiping. What 'work' does an non-operational SW'er do?

It will all pass, I know, but I am truly despondent at what I know I will have to go through in the meantime - hence option? of 'going sick' once I have passed on the informationIi have.

It really does happen a lot - I can think of many occasions where someone would be transferred. Once the investigation is complete then as you say you will be exonerated and you will be able to resume your work as a Social Worker. If you go off sick, the longer you stay off the harder it will be for you to go back. I strongly advise you not to go off sick. Don't become a problem to be managed.

I was wondering what you can do instead. I assume you won't be able to access computer stuff either ( in case of altering data etc).

Hi OP, I haven't any words of advice really but I work in an allied profession and I sympathise completely with the awful situation you find yourself in, so I just wanted to post to offer some moral support.

Do try to hold your head up high and not worry about gossip at the office you are being transferred to work out of. You have done nothing wrong. But it's a tough situation to be in, and you won't be able to discuss with anyone there why you are there temporarily, although perhaps if you speak to the manager there they may be able to offer an 'alibi' for you e.g. you've been asked to come over do do a specific piece of work that needed doing or something.
Hopefully you will feel a little more secure in the procedures of what is happening once you speak to your union rep. They should offer you full support with it all.

Let us know how things go. Best wishes.

Llareggub Many thanks for your, and others, sensible and rational posts...I am truly grateful to receive the views of people outside my current situation. I am just feeling sideswiped by what has happened - was asked if I'd 'received a letter' detailing that 'investigation' was about to commence, err, no! Typical cack-handedness of Bosses, when a lot of really poor questionable practice' goes unnoticed/unremarked upon.

Hope to update in a few weeks saying it's all over. Gawd bless MN, that's my usual cry...and it saves my, my husband's, my children, and my friends' nerves being shredded in the meantime.

A million thanks to those that took the time to reply, PoL is heading for a large gin...and a sleepless night probably

Selks PoL sobs into the comforting bosom of your post...

Used to work in office I'm being 'temporarily transferred' to...some nice folk, some, erm, not so nice. Small world here despite HUGE L.A, so everything/one up for debate!

Many thanks for your support.

im sorry youre going through this.

Have a wee virtual hug, been through something similar and it was tough, pm me if you ever need to vent x

Many thanks graceinabundance for your very kind post. The letter from work has STILL not arrived (Their procedures obviously not up to scratch). I have had great help from a lovely Unison rep though. Have also gone through diary/paperwork from the time and found more evidence that I followed procedure, slightly reassured by that.

I'm holding onto the idea that I will be completely exonerated, however, mud sticks, as I have witnessed in the past, and I'm also fearful that the powers-that-be will ultimately feel the need to punish me somehow - so I may be cleared but have a written warning, for example, on my file (never had so much as a stern talking to at work in almost a quarter of a century in this field).

Can't eat, can't sleep, and very, very sad. Oh well, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger - I hope.

Grateful thanks to MN and it's MNers, an amazing sounding board when the going gets tough, funny, bizarre, unreasonable, etc.

No advice but sympathies, sounds a horrible position to be in.

If they really are making you sit there do nothing in the other office, is there any chance that they would let you 'work from home' for some or all of the time so at least you don't waste petrol or time? And - assuming they are paying the additional mileage for you - they would then save some money themselves? or is there really no other office closer to you that would be easier to get to that they would let you go to instead?

good luck - hope that you get completely exonerated and that they don't don't feel they have to do something to justify their actions in investigating you

Glad to hear that your rep is being helpful, that's great. Even better that you have found evidence to back up your (correct) version of events.

Surely if you are cleared then no written warning or anything should remain on your file? I would think the union would be able to help you ensure all this. And there is the option of seeking legal advice don't forget.

Just try and take one day at a time at the moment, and hang on to the knowledge that you have done nothing wrong. It will all be ok in the end - you will come out the other side of this. In the mean time look at ways of managing the stress that this is bringing. make sure that you sleep if you can and eat well. Get exercise - walk or swim etc. Consider some relaxation methods and make sure that you have supportive people around you if possible that you can share all this with - family / friends.