Social services re-enter
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I’m hoping to get some advice or hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation, as I’m feeling quite overwhelmed.
I completely understand what many of you have shared about the impact these situations can have. For me, one of the hardest parts has been feeling socially ostracised for trying to keep my family together.
Our Child in Need (CIN) plan was closed in February 2025 after six months of Social Services involvement, as both children were doing well and there were no ongoing concerns. During that time, I completed a CSAFE course and we had a safety plan in place.
We moved to a different county in September 2025. Our previous Social Services team were aware of the move, as we had already been spending weekends in the new area with grandparents, where we planned to live until our house sold.
In July 2025, I spoke openly with both children’s schools and had honest conversations with the DSLs. After bail ended in November 2024, there were no formal restrictions in place. The secondary school chose to restrict my husband from attending events, but our younger child’s school allowed him to do school runs and attend meetings as long as I was present.
Two weeks ago, charges were brought, and Social Services in our new county have now become involved. We had an initial visit, but the social worker seemed to have very little information—no details on the allegations or charges, and only a previous risk assessment on file. She referred to our son by the wrong name and didn’t spend any time speaking with the children.
Her approach felt quite difficult. She appeared to have some preconceptions and repeatedly suggested that our previous Social Services team had closed the case because they thought my husband was moving out, which isn’t true. We have remained together since he came home. She also implied he was still on bail and should have had restrictions in place despite bail ending in November 2024. She kept saying that social services should have been involved when we moved. Surely, that's not our job? I was honest and spoke to both schools. I am thinking if they had concerns, they would have involved Social services at the time. There have been no concerns and both children are flourishing in new school settings.
It felt like we were being taken back to square one and having to re-explain everything from 2024, which has been quite triggering.
She said she would review the information, speak to the police officer and speak to the schools. Today she called while we were away during the Easter break and said she needed to see both of us in person, and that it couldn’t be done over the phone or online. I offered to meet the next day, but she said she was unavailable and it might have to wait until Monday. I followed up to say we could adjust plans if needed, but haven’t heard back.
I just want to add that we have been trying to rebuild our lives. My husband is full of remorse, is engaging in counselling, and is taking responsibility for what has happened. I am not defending his actions or making excuses—I’m simply trying to support my family and move forward in a safe and healthy way.
I suppose my questions are:
Is it normal for a new Social Services team to start again like this, even when a previous CIN plan was closed with no concerns?
Should they have had more information before visiting?
Has anyone experienced this kind of approach when moving between counties?
We’re just feeling quite anxious and unsure what to expect next
I completely understand what many of you have shared about the impact these situations can have. For me, one of the hardest parts has been feeling socially ostracised for trying to keep my family together.
Our Child in Need (CIN) plan was closed in February 2025 after six months of Social Services involvement, as both children were doing well and there were no ongoing concerns. During that time, I completed a CSAFE course and we had a safety plan in place.
We moved to a different county in September 2025. Our previous Social Services team were aware of the move, as we had already been spending weekends in the new area with grandparents, where we planned to live until our house sold.
In July 2025, I spoke openly with both children’s schools and had honest conversations with the DSLs. After bail ended in November 2024, there were no formal restrictions in place. The secondary school chose to restrict my husband from attending events, but our younger child’s school allowed him to do school runs and attend meetings as long as I was present.
Two weeks ago, charges were brought, and Social Services in our new county have now become involved. We had an initial visit, but the social worker seemed to have very little information—no details on the allegations or charges, and only a previous risk assessment on file. She referred to our son by the wrong name and didn’t spend any time speaking with the children.
Her approach felt quite difficult. She appeared to have some preconceptions and repeatedly suggested that our previous Social Services team had closed the case because they thought my husband was moving out, which isn’t true. We have remained together since he came home. She also implied he was still on bail and should have had restrictions in place despite bail ending in November 2024. She kept saying that social services should have been involved when we moved. Surely, that's not our job? I was honest and spoke to both schools. I am thinking if they had concerns, they would have involved Social services at the time. There have been no concerns and both children are flourishing in new school settings.
It felt like we were being taken back to square one and having to re-explain everything from 2024, which has been quite triggering.
She said she would review the information, speak to the police officer and speak to the schools. Today she called while we were away during the Easter break and said she needed to see both of us in person, and that it couldn’t be done over the phone or online. I offered to meet the next day, but she said she was unavailable and it might have to wait until Monday. I followed up to say we could adjust plans if needed, but haven’t heard back.
I just want to add that we have been trying to rebuild our lives. My husband is full of remorse, is engaging in counselling, and is taking responsibility for what has happened. I am not defending his actions or making excuses—I’m simply trying to support my family and move forward in a safe and healthy way.
I suppose my questions are:
Is it normal for a new Social Services team to start again like this, even when a previous CIN plan was closed with no concerns?
Should they have had more information before visiting?
Has anyone experienced this kind of approach when moving between counties?
We’re just feeling quite anxious and unsure what to expect next
Hi I haven't been through this but my advice is to get a good solicitor involved. A solicitor's letter can hold a lot of weight and it really is not fair that your family is being put through this.
You could also contact the Family Rights Group
Best of luck!.
You could also contact the Family Rights Group
Best of luck!.
