Do social services do weekend meetings ever?
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So I work full time so does my partner (the ones that's been accused). We have a child in need plan due to him being accused of uploading 2 class C images. We work opposite shift patterns and every meeting with social services since he started his new job he hasn't attended because SS refuse to do meetings on the weekend and he cannot change his shift. I've had to take unpaid and annual leave off of work to do these meetings with SS (my job doesnt know whats going on and id like to keep it that way). Is it normal for them to not do meetings at the weekend? I just want to know can I stand my ground and demand a weekend meeting, I'm running out of annual leave, parental leave, special leave and my bank accounts currently crying at me because I'm a little poor right now.
I genuinely think that SS are not used to dealing with parents who work. They just expect you to be able to attend meetings at short notice and do what they say. They are supposed to work with you and not against you when they are involved with your family. I actually don't think they work at weekends apart from emergency/duty social workers that's why they will never arrange meetings on a weekend.
I've had to take unpaid leave and mentioned this to the SW- they just don't care about the impact it has on you. All you can do is go through the complaints process which I have done and currently my complaint is with the ombudsman xx
I've had to take unpaid leave and mentioned this to the SW- they just don't care about the impact it has on you. All you can do is go through the complaints process which I have done and currently my complaint is with the ombudsman xx
Thank you for replying. It's really annoying, my job has been really understanding and very flexible so far. They dont mind that i wont speak further about my situation. All they know is ive had a big family emergency. But I do think you're right and I have a few things I want to complain about anyways so I think I will add that in. They keep worrying about me affording everything if in the situation he goes to prison (despite having family who would help me and have said they would so i dont loose my home). And I sit there thinking well if I didn't keep having to see you during work time it would be easier to save money as I'd earn a bit more money.
I took one week unpaid leave four months ago over the Easter holidays. They used it against me. They said there are concerns that I'm unable to provide financially for my daughter. They are absolute horrible people. They wrote this without even asking how much money I have etc..
SS wonder why they have the reputation that they do xx
SS wonder why they have the reputation that they do xx
I think it's not unreasonable to expect some co-operation finding a time that works for you as well as anyone else. I bet they would respect a SW saying they were on leave or on a course when dates are looked at, so why not your unavailability too? Have you thought of saying you will attend virtually if it was at a time that suited you (eg your lunchtime?) We are well used to that now because we live many miles from the LA area - not ideal but can be done if you have a laptop or phone......and a car or somewhere confidential to sit!
@upsetmother. That's really stupid, they've not asked me what I earn or anything of that nature, my annual leave is paid so I guess they wouldn't really care on that end. I luckily get paid parental leave at the moment, but I want to keep some of my entitlement aside incase my daughters sick, which has happened once already this year and I had a 14 month old with norovirus.
@rainydays they normally want to see me with my daughter in person. Which I don't mind, I refuse to talk to them alone now. They upset me a few weeks back now asking me questions on my opinion on various things related to his charges and theoretical scenarios while I was at work. I have this inability to say I'm sorry I can't answer right now once a questions been asked because i always think they think i need to research an adequate answer and are trying something or something like that. But they never asked if I was in a private place to talk. So that was fun!! Having to answer how I'd feel if my daughters images went up online while at work is not something I thought I'd had to do and I couldn't find anywhere private so my answers where very vague, odd and a bit rounderbout because how do you answer that with ears listening you don't want listening.
They've always said no to a weekend visit, but it's the only time I am free and my husbands free. Most of our meetings are usually when I finish work so usually half an hour here or an hour because I'm technically out of their area. As my address is in a different part of the county to where I am staying. They have to travel an hour to me from the office.
They've always said no to a weekend visit, but it's the only time I am free and my husbands free. Most of our meetings are usually when I finish work so usually half an hour here or an hour because I'm technically out of their area. As my address is in a different part of the county to where I am staying. They have to travel an hour to me from the office.
Social workers are usually contracted Monday - Friday 9-5. This makes it difficult for parents who work.
Child in need is voluntary though, so they need to work to your requirements and it should be collaborative. I would write a formal written request to the head of service requesting meetings on certain days at certain times to enable attendance by you both and without negatively impacting employment. You have a smuch right to set the time and agenda of the meeting as they do, it's your plan for your family. They should do this - I've done late meetings plenty of times for parents that work, but i think weekends are less likely.
Child in need is voluntary though, so they need to work to your requirements and it should be collaborative. I would write a formal written request to the head of service requesting meetings on certain days at certain times to enable attendance by you both and without negatively impacting employment. You have a smuch right to set the time and agenda of the meeting as they do, it's your plan for your family. They should do this - I've done late meetings plenty of times for parents that work, but i think weekends are less likely.
The only time that's really doable without me taking time off work is the weekends. I work 8:30 til 4:30 and he works 2 til 10 we both work 5 days a week. His jobs not flexible at all. Mines being flexible but it is costing me my time off that should be for being with my daughter not them. Our next meeting I've not been given a time for yet. But I've said the earliest appointment they can do. Let hope I only have to take 2 hours unpaid for another meeting of repeat what was said last time yet again. If you can't tell I'm a bit sick of them because the conversation never changes and their concerns are as if none of our conversation have ever happened in the most recent report. I do have a newly qualified social work so I don't think that's helping at all
That is a bit of a nightmare. I think you need to put the request for weekend meetings in writing and be very clear about why and the impact of not doing this - husband excluded, stress at work, potential job loss, loss of time off with child etc.
However it will be on the good will of a social worker to a certain extent, willing to work weekends as obviously this means time away from whatever their life entails at the weekend, and we are not allowed to be paid overtime etc. so then you have to negotiate toil.
So sorry you are going through this additional stress, I hope you can sort something out
However it will be on the good will of a social worker to a certain extent, willing to work weekends as obviously this means time away from whatever their life entails at the weekend, and we are not allowed to be paid overtime etc. so then you have to negotiate toil.
So sorry you are going through this additional stress, I hope you can sort something out