Threat of CPP conference/ legal precedings
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We are on a CIN plan and had a meeting Friday where all agencies agreed they had no concerns with oh returning home.
our case worker put this to her manager who has not agreed stating I cannot fully supervise whilst I am asleep.
we offered to install a camera on the landing to alert me of any movement but she did not think this was acceptable and actually raised concerns about having a camera given my oh offends was online.
she said until he has not shown any work on the nature of his offense, he is waiting on his courses with probation to start but with vivid this could be a while yet.
she went on to say if we go against her she will escalate us to a child protection plan with a view to starting legal proceedings.
I am just so torn as to what step to take next, obviously I don't want to escalate our case but at the same time don't want to do nothing and not get him home.
Has anyone had similar and can advise what happened I would be grateful!
our case worker put this to her manager who has not agreed stating I cannot fully supervise whilst I am asleep.
we offered to install a camera on the landing to alert me of any movement but she did not think this was acceptable and actually raised concerns about having a camera given my oh offends was online.
she said until he has not shown any work on the nature of his offense, he is waiting on his courses with probation to start but with vivid this could be a while yet.
she went on to say if we go against her she will escalate us to a child protection plan with a view to starting legal proceedings.
I am just so torn as to what step to take next, obviously I don't want to escalate our case but at the same time don't want to do nothing and not get him home.
Has anyone had similar and can advise what happened I would be grateful!
Hi Lee
he has attended drug courses at a rehabilitation centre and they have now signed him off as they don't believe he needs their help anymore (not used since arrest in July) he is waiting on CBT as he has struggled with his mental health which led to self medicating with cocaine which led to chat rooms which resulted in an online conversation with a minor (decoy)
the manager made me feel like s@&t when I said he will be moving without their agreement and said she will escalate and start legal process which to be honest scared me to death
I just don't know what to do for the best, do we wait it out as after a further conversation with her stating we have asked if he should go the inform course and our previous SS said no wait for provabtion she said she will look into getting an assessment done and any other help they can offer (which we have been asking for since the start)
he has attended drug courses at a rehabilitation centre and they have now signed him off as they don't believe he needs their help anymore (not used since arrest in July) he is waiting on CBT as he has struggled with his mental health which led to self medicating with cocaine which led to chat rooms which resulted in an online conversation with a minor (decoy)
the manager made me feel like s@&t when I said he will be moving without their agreement and said she will escalate and start legal process which to be honest scared me to death
I just don't know what to do for the best, do we wait it out as after a further conversation with her stating we have asked if he should go the inform course and our previous SS said no wait for provabtion she said she will look into getting an assessment done and any other help they can offer (which we have been asking for since the start)
I'm so sorry that's the way social services are going snoop. Lee has given lots of good advice there that you should definitely follow.
If you've not got them already, request the minutes or notes from the CIN meeting from when everyone was in agreement to back up what was said.
I'd also advise putting everything in writing to the social worker, acknowledging their concerns stating all the potential risks, the ways in which the safety plan minimises or removes those risks and stating that social services have been unable to make any further suggestions.
If you're prepared to take the risk of escalation (personally I say go for it but completely understand it's really not an easy choice) then also state in the written communication that you have balanced the risks of your husband coming home with the harm caused to the wellbeing of all of you and explain the impact it is having. Tell them that the courses are delayed through no fault of your own but both you and husband are happy to attend any courses, engage with any risk assessors or any help that they offer you.
Try to remain factual and limit emotions within this communication.
If social services escalate you to CPP try think of this as additional support for you. Their job is to work WITH you as a family to reach a workable agreement that ensures the safety of everyone involved whilst respecting your wishes. Don't be afraid to ask them to support, if they aren't happy with what you're doing they should provide you with other options to meet their criteria.
Ultimately, they need to prove in court that your children are at significant risk of harm if you go against them. If this was the case, the SHPO would have restrictions on contact. I believe you also get free legal advice if social services begin legal proceedings against you.
Best of luck!
If you've not got them already, request the minutes or notes from the CIN meeting from when everyone was in agreement to back up what was said.
I'd also advise putting everything in writing to the social worker, acknowledging their concerns stating all the potential risks, the ways in which the safety plan minimises or removes those risks and stating that social services have been unable to make any further suggestions.
If you're prepared to take the risk of escalation (personally I say go for it but completely understand it's really not an easy choice) then also state in the written communication that you have balanced the risks of your husband coming home with the harm caused to the wellbeing of all of you and explain the impact it is having. Tell them that the courses are delayed through no fault of your own but both you and husband are happy to attend any courses, engage with any risk assessors or any help that they offer you.
Try to remain factual and limit emotions within this communication.
If social services escalate you to CPP try think of this as additional support for you. Their job is to work WITH you as a family to reach a workable agreement that ensures the safety of everyone involved whilst respecting your wishes. Don't be afraid to ask them to support, if they aren't happy with what you're doing they should provide you with other options to meet their criteria.
Ultimately, they need to prove in court that your children are at significant risk of harm if you go against them. If this was the case, the SHPO would have restrictions on contact. I believe you also get free legal advice if social services begin legal proceedings against you.
Best of luck!
Just to add, I'd put in writing exactly what you plan with regards to the camera. The manager may be assuming you're planning on using a camera that your husband has access to. Making it clear that this isn't the case and giving details about what technology you intend to use and how it works would make it clear that the plan you have covers all possibilities x
Grace, you speak alot of sense.
Personally I feel the offer of a camera installation is unnecessary. If social care educated themselves properly they'd understand the extremely low percentage of online offending who go onto commit contact offences. Its even lower when offenders are supported properly, working, contact with family etc. There needs to be some serious work with social workers and their judgements.
I agree you need to get their concerns written down. What exactly are they expecting to happen and how do they evidence these concerns?
The threat of cp is a low blow trying to get you to shift your thinking. It's easier for them then. They would struggle to convince a court that's for sure.
Have a lovely Christmas xxx
Personally I feel the offer of a camera installation is unnecessary. If social care educated themselves properly they'd understand the extremely low percentage of online offending who go onto commit contact offences. Its even lower when offenders are supported properly, working, contact with family etc. There needs to be some serious work with social workers and their judgements.
I agree you need to get their concerns written down. What exactly are they expecting to happen and how do they evidence these concerns?
The threat of cp is a low blow trying to get you to shift your thinking. It's easier for them then. They would struggle to convince a court that's for sure.
Have a lovely Christmas xxx
I have let ss take us to plo because we where getting no help trying to get assessment done on us and ss want me to walk away and never talk to him again,, I have told them again I don't believe this protects my children or anyone else I have thrown stats at them and how I will move this forward I have never lied to my children and never will do. Ss have also explain to my children how to keep themselves safe and many things I have done sadly my ss has done nothing to support me and my family I know I can look in the mirror and I am not hiding anything I will not liar its not a easy fight but we are in family court the February and see what the judge has to say about it all again I understand the frustration because no work has been done with my h because of covid,, probation staff shortage and many other things they want to thrown our way but keep going if you can it scary but as long as u know your doing no wrong and they have nothing,, they will tell you they can remove the kids and will ask you for plan b incase things go wrong but that will not happen cause you will not allow it like the other ladies said write it all down and send it to the manager,,,
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I just wanted to thank you all for the comments/ advice and support.
I decided to take a break from the forum over Christmas and we continued with our CIN plan restrictions, we felt we could not really enjoy our Christmas with the threat of CPP hanging over us and although it was tough he is able to be at home along as I am awake so we made the best of it.
We have now been allocated a new case worker but as yet no contact so it's back into battle next week, I feel more positive and am ready to take them on so think the break from everything really helped.
I decided to take a break from the forum over Christmas and we continued with our CIN plan restrictions, we felt we could not really enjoy our Christmas with the threat of CPP hanging over us and although it was tough he is able to be at home along as I am awake so we made the best of it.
We have now been allocated a new case worker but as yet no contact so it's back into battle next week, I feel more positive and am ready to take them on so think the break from everything really helped.
Glad the break has done you good snoop.
Best of luck with social services x
Best of luck with social services x