Family and Friends Forum

I made a formal complaint to social services, we started with an informal one which was 'lost' by them. After a series of mistakes, paper work issues etc we were advised to make a formal complaint by a duty social worker. Our complaint was not about social services involvement or decision etc but errors, process not being followed, appalling paperwork. Our complaint was backed up by professionals and school also writing a letter of complaint. I did not complain about anything I could not evidence. It did make things much better, I recieved a formal apology and we got a new social worker who was really lovely and knew what she was doing. People had said to me dont complain as it makes things worse but in the end the level of errors etc could not be ignored and I'm really glad I made the formal complaint.

I think as long as your complaint is genuine, factual and worded well then there should be no issue complaining formally. You can always get your solicitor to check the complaint. I didn't go on any courses and wasnt asked to attend any. I'd already done most of what they would have asked me to do well before they said anything, but going on a course etc I'd made enquiries about myself but none where really suitable or relevant to me, I did also discuss the inform course with Lucy faithful practitioner but we agreed it wasnt really relevant or useful to me. What course did they ask to you to go on and pay for?. I would have just done anything they asked me to do to be honest, I always did more than they asked and did my own research, looked into courses, spoke with professionals, did bits on parents protect website, stop it now etc, looked into risk and managing risk, family plans etc. Sadly the advice and offers of help was all too little and too late, luckily I am the way I am or I may have struggled as I'm sure many people do.