Children interviewed by social workers

bestpud

needurgentadvice wrote: »

Can't say that hand over heart as I'm not there, all I could do was agree they should not ask.
Think the children were a little 'put out' with it all (to put it mildly).

My son is petrified of police (don't ask me why as I always tell him the police are helpful and kind), and would have been traumatised and told all without me having to ask.

It's more than possible they know more than they are telling you and know you are in a position to support their answers.

They wouldn't want you to know if the children have said anything as it looks less contrived if you go in 'blind' iykwim?

I just can't imagine the children haven't blurted out what they were asked, especially if it was something just one of them said and the others know it wasn't true.

Well, put it this way, if they have said nothing at all then maybe the family do need some intervention, as that would be odd at their ages (assuming ss wouldn't coerce the children into silence...)

ali-t

pupsicola wrote: »

The fact that the chilren have been returned to their parents tonight makes me think there aren't major concerns about them and their care of the children. If there were I dont think that would have happened. I wouldn't recommend getting a solicitor as yet. From your post it appears the parents are astounded this is going on, therefore we assume they have done nothing wrong. Turning up with a solicitor to defend them might suggest otherwise.

I totally agree with this and was going to post something similar but deleted incase other posters had a go about how I could state this without knowing the details, giving the OP false hope etc.

But you are right, if there was a major concern the children wouldn't have been returned tonight and efforts would have been made to find family or friends that could take them overnight until the parents were interviewed and a decision was made about next steps. There would also have been more effort made to interview the parents today if the concerns were significant.

Of course, my post relates to good practice within child protection so this may not be replicated int he OP's area (but it should be).

meritaten

sorry, but my advice is to get a solicitor ASAP. even though the children have been returned to the family home.
A they were interviewed by social services without the parents knowledge
B the parents have been told they are being interviewed tomorow
this rings alarm bells with me!
the parents have rights and they have the right to legal representation! they asked if a friend if they could be there and was told no. they cannot be told NO to legal representation!
I am not concerned with the exact matter of what this is about - it looks to me as if the parents are being 'railroaded'. this is happening too fast!

shegirl

meritaten wrote: »

sorry, but my advice is to get a solicitor ASAP. even though the children have been returned to the family home.
A they were interviewed by social services without the parents knowledge
B the parents have been told they are being interviewed tomorow
this rings alarm bells with me!
the parents have rights and they have the right to legal representation! they asked if a friend if they could be there and was told no. they cannot be told NO to legal representation!
I am not concerned with the exact matter of what this is about - it looks to me as if the parents are being 'railroaded'. this is happening too fast!

How the hell are they being rail roaded?

There is no need for a solicitor at this point,in fact it would look a little odd.If a client asked me to be present I would quite frankly say no!

pupsicola

When a school has a valid concern about a childs welfare, whether that be linked to the parents, family members or close friends they can involve any number of agencies to interview the children. They dont need the parents permission beforehand or to even inform them that it will take place.

The view is taken that it is done in the best interests of the child. The schools child protection policy documents would state this clearly.

As the parents of these children the police, any social workers and the school will need to interview them and inform them of the concerns they have. That doesn't neccesarily mean that they are the people these agencies have the concern about. They have parental responsibility and so of course must be made aware of any worries relating to their children. Therefore turning up with legal representation isn't appropriate yet till they know what is going on. Turning up with a solicitor could make them look involved in something they are not.

Ms_Chocaholic

Were the parents asked for their permission for a SW to speak to the children - this is normal procedure?

The issue that led the children to be interviewed may not be a concern regarding a parent, it could be concerns regarding a friend, neighbour, grandparent etc etc

The situation does sound slightly bizarre though, was a reason given as to why the SW was not able to speak to the parent(s) today. Who dropped the children back off at home.

needurgentadvice

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Were the parents asked for their permission for a SW to speak to the children - this is normal procedure?

The issue that led the children to be interviewed may not be a concern regarding a parent, it could be concerns regarding a friend, neighbour, grandparent etc etc

The situation does sound slightly bizarre though, was a reason given as to why the SW was not able to speak to the parent(s) today. Who dropped the children back off at home.

From what I can gather the parents were 'told' not to collect as children being interviewed and then they were returned a few hours later (assume by social services but I don't know for sure).

ali-t

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Were the parents asked for their permission for a SW to speak to the children - this is normal procedure?

The issue that led the children to be interviewed may not be a concern regarding a parent, it could be concerns regarding a friend, neighbour, grandparent etc etc

The situation does sound slightly bizarre though, was a reason given as to why the SW was not able to speak to the parent(s) today. Who dropped the children back off at home.

It is not bizarre at all but may appear so to anyone not familiar with child protection principles and procedures.

If there are child protection concerns and the parent/s is the alleged perpetrator they would not be approached for permission as
1) they would likely refuse permission if they did have something to hide
2) it would give them a heads up to get rid of evidence, brief the child(ren) to lie and tell the children to withdraw the complaint
3) it could prejudice any legal investigation

I would imagine (although don't know the context of this particular situation) that the reason the social workers/police didn't speak to the parents tonight is because they assessed that the children weren't at risk from the parents that evening and possibly because they would need the interview recorded so would need a particular venue and trained staff in the procedures.

meritaten

shegirl wrote: »

How the hell are they being rail roaded?

There is no need for a solicitor at this point,in fact it would look a little odd.If a client asked me to be present I would quite frankly say no!

really? you saying you are a solicitor and wouldnt represent someone in this situation? in that case I would be asking for another solicitor as you are clearly not understanding your duty. a client doesnt have to be guilty or charged with anything! a client would only have to have you there to explain legal matters to them- you would also be there to ensure that the clients rights are not infringed. a client is a person who is paying you to represent them as you have the greater understanding of the law (but in your case he would be wasting his money wouldnt he?)

Ms_Chocaholic

Ali-t, the situation sounds bizarre partly because we only have part of a story, the OP is a friend and doesn't have the full picture and some of the "facts" appear to be guesswork.

With regard to your 2nd para, I accept what you have said but if there are CP concerns, serious enough for them to be interviewed by the Police, then it is unclear why the children were allowed to return home without one parent (possible perpetrator) being asked to leave the family home so the children could return home safely.

I'm sure everything will become clearer tomorrow.