Social services process (pregnancy after sentencing)
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Hi all, thought I'd share what's happened for me since finding out I was pregnant after OH being sentenced to a suspended sentence, 10 years on SOR and SHPO.
After getting a phone call last Friday, we had a pre-birth assessment today (unannounced but fortunately we were in). She spoke to myself and my OH separately. Asked what I know about the conviction, how he came about committing the offence, any family members also aware and able to support, if I'd be willing to do any courses / what professional help I've had already. They asked me what I'd want to happen. I explained my safety plans if my husband was to stay at home (100% supervised, I stay in child's room and have a lock on the door, no personal care etc). I said ideally my husband would stay at home to support financially and to help look after me so I can look after the baby (I.E cleaning, making meals etc).
They asked my husband what does he do for work, background to the conviction, what happened after the knock, counselling, probation (Horizon course), who his offending manager is and what he thinks of them, what safety plan he has in mind and then any help with finances required i.e. prams, counselling etc.
They explained that they'd likely arrange an independent assessment i.e. through LFF for my husband and it will likely go to Child protection due to the nature of the offence, but that's not her decision. But the reason being they have more authority to ensure plans are being followed under that than Child in Need. She also said my safety plan sounds really good so that's promising.
After getting a phone call last Friday, we had a pre-birth assessment today (unannounced but fortunately we were in). She spoke to myself and my OH separately. Asked what I know about the conviction, how he came about committing the offence, any family members also aware and able to support, if I'd be willing to do any courses / what professional help I've had already. They asked me what I'd want to happen. I explained my safety plans if my husband was to stay at home (100% supervised, I stay in child's room and have a lock on the door, no personal care etc). I said ideally my husband would stay at home to support financially and to help look after me so I can look after the baby (I.E cleaning, making meals etc).
They asked my husband what does he do for work, background to the conviction, what happened after the knock, counselling, probation (Horizon course), who his offending manager is and what he thinks of them, what safety plan he has in mind and then any help with finances required i.e. prams, counselling etc.
They explained that they'd likely arrange an independent assessment i.e. through LFF for my husband and it will likely go to Child protection due to the nature of the offence, but that's not her decision. But the reason being they have more authority to ensure plans are being followed under that than Child in Need. She also said my safety plan sounds really good so that's promising.
Hi,
I'm pleased that the social worker was impressed with your safety plan. They don't have to put baby on a child protection plan although different local authorities have different ways of working especially with funding for an independent risk assessment.
What risk level is your husband currently at with probation or visor? What are their views on the pregnancy? xxx
I'm pleased that the social worker was impressed with your safety plan. They don't have to put baby on a child protection plan although different local authorities have different ways of working especially with funding for an independent risk assessment.
What risk level is your husband currently at with probation or visor? What are their views on the pregnancy? xxx
They came back today and the SW was just a middle man before we get allocated a proper SW. I feel like no matter what we do, they've already decided what their plan is. They've had strategy meeting this week and decided it's to go to CP and we'll have a CP conference in the next two weeks. They said it's not for definite but is pretty much for definite that it will go to pre-court proceedings /PLO. They said this is only to get access to our health / criminal records which now I'm realising was just bull and minimising the severity of it. I'm not sure why I'm bothering having all these meetings if they've already decided what they're doing. They mentioned a risk assessment for us both but that it probably won't be LFF but a different consultancy. I've searched them up and they're just two independent social workers that used to work for our social services?!
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Also the police are classing him as medium risk. He asked what he can do to reduce it and they said nothing. It hasn't changed since the presentence report 3 years despite no longer having a porn addiction and doing countless rehabilitation courses. There's nothing in his SHPO other than internet related stuff so our lives have barely changed so this has come as a shock really. I'm worried about how I'll pay a mortgage on my own whilst on maternity leave and even after if my husband is going to have to rent somewhere.
Hi,
I've sent you a message xx
I've sent you a message xx
I'm honestly so disgusted by social workers.
I have seen several cases on this forum where they have taken cases straight away to PLO even though safety plans were adhered to or people were never given the chance to work out a safety plan in the first place xx
I have seen several cases on this forum where they have taken cases straight away to PLO even though safety plans were adhered to or people were never given the chance to work out a safety plan in the first place xx
Hi,
My understanding is that you can get legal aid for PLO so please look into obtaining a solicitor ASAP. There definitely is no need for PLO to.ontain health and criminal data - you can just sign a piece of paper granting them access to all this.
My understanding is that you can get legal aid for PLO so please look into obtaining a solicitor ASAP. There definitely is no need for PLO to.ontain health and criminal data - you can just sign a piece of paper granting them access to all this.
Hi Molamoo,
We've gone through pre-proceedings and we're now heading for a court hearing (our grandchildren and for reasons other than our son's offences, although of course that's in the mix too) but it helped me to read as much as possible about pre-proceedings which I found on the Family Rights Group website
https://frg.org.uk/get-help-and-advice/what/pre-proceedings/
including links to Government documents about it. I also found very comprehensive instructions for SWs on our Children's Services website. It helped to understand exactly what we were facing and would help you to sift what you're being told which is fact from inaccurancies/exaggerations etc. We were really fortunate that our CP social worker has been honest and transparent with us but I know not everyone has been that fortunate.
Also IF things go to pre-proceedings (and I have no idea if they will, but just saying this as slight reassurance for you) you will have a family law solicitor paid for by the LA and they will speak up for you, negotiate things that need discussing on your behalf etc. For our son this was so helpful as he felt he had a bit of power over the situation again, instead of having very little voice plus the solicitor pointed out things he hadn't thought of.
Easy to say but I hope you can find some inner calm as you go through your pregnancy - if the SW and team are causing you extra stress and anxiety, (as I expect they are) can you point that out to them, even ask for someone like your GP to write to them about the effect they are having on you? They have no right to put your health at risk through their tactlessness and scare tactics.
We've gone through pre-proceedings and we're now heading for a court hearing (our grandchildren and for reasons other than our son's offences, although of course that's in the mix too) but it helped me to read as much as possible about pre-proceedings which I found on the Family Rights Group website
https://frg.org.uk/get-help-and-advice/what/pre-proceedings/
including links to Government documents about it. I also found very comprehensive instructions for SWs on our Children's Services website. It helped to understand exactly what we were facing and would help you to sift what you're being told which is fact from inaccurancies/exaggerations etc. We were really fortunate that our CP social worker has been honest and transparent with us but I know not everyone has been that fortunate.
Also IF things go to pre-proceedings (and I have no idea if they will, but just saying this as slight reassurance for you) you will have a family law solicitor paid for by the LA and they will speak up for you, negotiate things that need discussing on your behalf etc. For our son this was so helpful as he felt he had a bit of power over the situation again, instead of having very little voice plus the solicitor pointed out things he hadn't thought of.
Easy to say but I hope you can find some inner calm as you go through your pregnancy - if the SW and team are causing you extra stress and anxiety, (as I expect they are) can you point that out to them, even ask for someone like your GP to write to them about the effect they are having on you? They have no right to put your health at risk through their tactlessness and scare tactics.
Hi all, unfortunately we're experiencing a miscarriage of our first child at 20 weeks. Spending some time processing this hurt and trauma before thinking about future pregnancies. Thank you for all your support and advice xx
I'm so incredibly sorry xxx
I'm so sorry, you are in my thoughts. X