Taking ownership of assessments
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I'm interested to hear people's experiences where they may have had their own independent specialist risk assessment - how does this work, is it something SS should allow you to do, how much did it cost, did SS acknowledge it as acceptable over and above their own assessments etc.
Also where people have gone to solicitors for advice or support. Interested in what they can actually do for you and again if SS work with you on that, or if it causes more aggravation?
Our new SW, no disrespect seems a lovely girl, but is very young and I'm concerned she doesn't have either the life experience or the amount of SW experience that our last one had.
Our last SW who was the initial assessment person had spoken to me and said we could do supervised time out in the community, so we've been out 3 times. When the new one came on Friday, she brought the initial assessment report and it stated my OH was not having contact with the boys, which is clearly incorrect and I pointed this out. The new SW looked a bit unimpressed and said every manager is different and hers might have a different view. I'm also concerned that it now looks on the surface as if I've breached the safety plan - but do have texts from SW confirming permission to go out together, so will that cover me?
xx
Also where people have gone to solicitors for advice or support. Interested in what they can actually do for you and again if SS work with you on that, or if it causes more aggravation?
Our new SW, no disrespect seems a lovely girl, but is very young and I'm concerned she doesn't have either the life experience or the amount of SW experience that our last one had.
Our last SW who was the initial assessment person had spoken to me and said we could do supervised time out in the community, so we've been out 3 times. When the new one came on Friday, she brought the initial assessment report and it stated my OH was not having contact with the boys, which is clearly incorrect and I pointed this out. The new SW looked a bit unimpressed and said every manager is different and hers might have a different view. I'm also concerned that it now looks on the surface as if I've breached the safety plan - but do have texts from SW confirming permission to go out together, so will that cover me?
xx
Hi
i have got a solicitor involved whilst on a CPP. What she has done so far is write a letter to SS asking them to confirm a few things. This is because when my daughter was classed as a CIN, there was no written safety plan and it wasn't explained to me what supervised contact meant. They then accused me of breaching the safety plan which I'm really annoyed about. When the CPP was put in place last August, SS have done absolutely nothing since then. It was recommended that an assessment with Lucy Faithfull was done, but the LA will not fund it! So my solicitor has really challenged them on what they have done for the last 7 months and what they are doing to de-escalate their involvement. If she hasn't had a response after two weeks then she is going to chase it up. I did find it really difficult finding a solicitor who will get involved, they only get involved at PLO level. You have to state that you are willing to pay privately.
i have got a solicitor involved whilst on a CPP. What she has done so far is write a letter to SS asking them to confirm a few things. This is because when my daughter was classed as a CIN, there was no written safety plan and it wasn't explained to me what supervised contact meant. They then accused me of breaching the safety plan which I'm really annoyed about. When the CPP was put in place last August, SS have done absolutely nothing since then. It was recommended that an assessment with Lucy Faithfull was done, but the LA will not fund it! So my solicitor has really challenged them on what they have done for the last 7 months and what they are doing to de-escalate their involvement. If she hasn't had a response after two weeks then she is going to chase it up. I did find it really difficult finding a solicitor who will get involved, they only get involved at PLO level. You have to state that you are willing to pay privately.
My kids are on a CIN plan at the minute so not sure if it will get escalated. I assume that depends on the outcome of my CASP-R assessment? I wasn't sure at what point legal intervention would be either necessary or useful. They seem hell bent on trying to demonise us both, so I now fear we'll end up going on to a CPP (think that's what it's called?).
I do have some challenges to aspects of the initial assessment and wondered if anyone has any experience of this. I've compiled a list of inaccuracies - quite annoyed because the original SW said I would have sight of it before she sent it to her manager, but hey guess what, I wasn't sent it, so had no opportunity to ensure details were correct prior to the manager making their comments. It's all so cloak and dagger, and in my view unprofessional. Like they're trying to make it as difficult as possible to maintain any kind of normal relationship and stability for my kids.
I can hear and see myself saying the same things that so many others of you have. Crazy world we live in xx
I do have some challenges to aspects of the initial assessment and wondered if anyone has any experience of this. I've compiled a list of inaccuracies - quite annoyed because the original SW said I would have sight of it before she sent it to her manager, but hey guess what, I wasn't sent it, so had no opportunity to ensure details were correct prior to the manager making their comments. It's all so cloak and dagger, and in my view unprofessional. Like they're trying to make it as difficult as possible to maintain any kind of normal relationship and stability for my kids.
I can hear and see myself saying the same things that so many others of you have. Crazy world we live in xx
Completely echo what you are saying. Any inaccuracies in any reports/assessments- email the SW to say why they are inaccurate. Get everything documented. I had no idea my case was going to a CPP, but a strategy meeting happened( which they do not tell you about) and all the professionals agree that a CPP should be held. I've currently got a stage 2 complaint open with SS and a stage 1 complaint open with MoJ over the conduct and behaviour of the probation officer
Good advice, I've spent a couple of hours tonight creating a log of all visits/texts and conversations.
I've also drafted an email saying I want to flag the inaccuracies and would like the opportunity to discuss these with the SW. However I'm now wondering if I should list them in the email to her. Such a dangerous line between getting your point across and being perceived as a difficult person to work with.
in the email I've also raised the point that I've spent the last 18 months undertaking training courses and researching to make sure I'm as clued up about these offences in order to be a more protective parent, this detail was omitted! Instead there was a comment included from the headteacher (who the SW spoke to at the beginning of her assessment and had no clue about the circumstances) saying that he thought 'mum could be minimising the risk.'
ugh ......xx
I've also drafted an email saying I want to flag the inaccuracies and would like the opportunity to discuss these with the SW. However I'm now wondering if I should list them in the email to her. Such a dangerous line between getting your point across and being perceived as a difficult person to work with.
in the email I've also raised the point that I've spent the last 18 months undertaking training courses and researching to make sure I'm as clued up about these offences in order to be a more protective parent, this detail was omitted! Instead there was a comment included from the headteacher (who the SW spoke to at the beginning of her assessment and had no clue about the circumstances) saying that he thought 'mum could be minimising the risk.'
ugh ......xx
I would email her. You can still get your point across without being perceived as difficult and still coming as across friendly. When my SW does a visit and I have something to raise or anything I'm concerned about, I email her as confirmation. Even though she doesn't respond or acknowledge the email, it's something to refer to back to in the future if need be x
Well the email has been sent - my main issue being the unfair slant that the report gives. A comment that says I'm minimising the risk, but it's a comment that made by someone who (at that point) had only just found out basic (probably incorrect) details from the SW and had zero knowledge of the situation.
I've clearly outlined all the courses and work I've done with the boys - all prior to SS even being involved - the SW knew about all of this but opted not to include (shock horror!).
I will not allow them to say I'm minimising risk or not being a protective parent, when I know I'm doing everything in my power to keep them safe whilst maintaining my relationship. I just want to see a report that's written fairly, is that too much to ask! ??
I'll wait and see what she comes back with and I hope it gets fed in to her next supervision meeting on Friday!!
tonight's bedtime reading will be The Protectors Handbook that someone on the forum reccomended - can't recall who, sorry - but thank you! X
I've clearly outlined all the courses and work I've done with the boys - all prior to SS even being involved - the SW knew about all of this but opted not to include (shock horror!).
I will not allow them to say I'm minimising risk or not being a protective parent, when I know I'm doing everything in my power to keep them safe whilst maintaining my relationship. I just want to see a report that's written fairly, is that too much to ask! ??
I'll wait and see what she comes back with and I hope it gets fed in to her next supervision meeting on Friday!!
tonight's bedtime reading will be The Protectors Handbook that someone on the forum reccomended - can't recall who, sorry - but thank you! X
SS have done nothing with me on giving me advice on what materials I should be reading or anything. I've got my conference review at the end of the month and I want to show the chair that I have been proactive in doing my own research as the SW has been useless x
Social workers are people and people make mistakes. You are one of the many families/children on their book. I know it's no excuse to do such a poor job and twist facts. I am going through the same. Bottom line is we all want our children to be safe, all of us. It's not a personal attack against you , although most days it feels that way, and their way of punishing you or/and your children.
Therefore you need to work with them, correct inaccuracies, make your desired next step very clear in order to get to your end goal however be very open about other options (for example getting a risk assesment can be next desired step, end goal may be family reunion but be mindful the risk assesment may not recommend this.)
I would not recommend having your own risk assesment, these assesments are thousands of pounds, when social services instruct them they ask a certain set of questions to explore to the assessor, without their input and opportunity to put forward questions, and if you are footing the bill and choosing your assessor, they will likely be dismissing the assesment. Thousands of pounds could be for nothing.
Therefore you need to work with them, correct inaccuracies, make your desired next step very clear in order to get to your end goal however be very open about other options (for example getting a risk assesment can be next desired step, end goal may be family reunion but be mindful the risk assesment may not recommend this.)
I would not recommend having your own risk assesment, these assesments are thousands of pounds, when social services instruct them they ask a certain set of questions to explore to the assessor, without their input and opportunity to put forward questions, and if you are footing the bill and choosing your assessor, they will likely be dismissing the assesment. Thousands of pounds could be for nothing.
Has anyone had any experience with asking SW for any meetings or visits under a CIN plan to be recorded? Cant tell you how much I can relate to all of your posts. I think SS are a joke! They tell lies and manipulate things you say. My situation has been going on for nearly 2 years now and any interaction with them seems like 3 steps back. Thinking of you all xx
Thats our findings as well. I dont know how they are allowed to lie and twist anything they choose just to make the situation as bad as possible. Its like one massive power rush for them. The deception is beyond belief. They refer to my OH (images only) as though he going to rape our teenage daughter the first chance he gets - why in gods name would he wait until all eyes were on him to start now?
Just noticed that this is an old post which I added to at the time. Yes I did have my conference review in April last year and they decided to take our case to PLO which lasted 6 months. They fabricated a report to meet the PLO threshold and its infuriating.
Hi. Just reading your posts Upset Mother - how come they escalated you to PLO?
I have my review conference meeting in 2 weeks, we have been on a CPP for 9 months and nothing happened for 6 months until i complained and then we got a new SW which so much more has happened. She is convinced my daughter can step down to a CIN but after reading this I'm not sure that will happen.
I have also ended the relationship which happened in March.
I have my review conference meeting in 2 weeks, we have been on a CPP for 9 months and nothing happened for 6 months until i complained and then we got a new SW which so much more has happened. She is convinced my daughter can step down to a CIN but after reading this I'm not sure that will happen.
I have also ended the relationship which happened in March.
I never had an assessment done via SS. I requested shortly before we got raised from a CIN plan to a CPP plan for an assessment to be done via Lucy faithful. On the CPP funding was granted for it and like 6 months later we finally had the assessment.
SS main concerns was whether or not he would ever sexually harm or rape our toddler. Which is why I suggested Lucy faithful to them. Since we got low risk back in the assessment we have been moving forwards with our plan to reunify. Still on the CPP for now as you have to do a minimum for 1 review which is done every 6 months before you can come off of a CPP. Hopefully we will come off off a CPP because im kind of sick of saying yeah nothing new, how are you? Every 10 days using my one day off in the week i want to go and do something with my toddler rather then wasting the precious early years of her life seeing them.
SS main concerns was whether or not he would ever sexually harm or rape our toddler. Which is why I suggested Lucy faithful to them. Since we got low risk back in the assessment we have been moving forwards with our plan to reunify. Still on the CPP for now as you have to do a minimum for 1 review which is done every 6 months before you can come off of a CPP. Hopefully we will come off off a CPP because im kind of sick of saying yeah nothing new, how are you? Every 10 days using my one day off in the week i want to go and do something with my toddler rather then wasting the precious early years of her life seeing them.
Sunshine&Rainbows- why are they keeping a CPP in place when the risk has come back as low? The whole point of a CPP is to deescalate when risks have reduced. My SW requested to bring the conference forward when the risk came back as low which the IRO agreed with. My SW made it clear that the threshold of significant harm is no longer met when an independent assessment comes back as low risk x
