Social Services - Can't work, can't claim

goodlife

Ok this is going to sound crazy but please bear with me, and please constructive posts only.

To cut a very long story short, my daughter is on a child protection plan ( i disagree with the reasons, but that's another story).

Yesterday social services entered my house forcibly without a police warrant, and amongst the usual asked me if I was planning to go to work on Monday. They then said that they would call round on Monay, if I didn't answer the door, they would get the police to forcibly enter, and if my daughter was home alone they would be 'taking action'.

I told them that it was not illegal to leave her home alone, both they, and a police officer said it was the law she could not be left alone. I also pointed out that this week (half term week) how many thousands, hundreds of thousands? of children would be home alone whilst their parents work, and were they seriously going to take action against all those parents. The answer I received was ' i'm sure we'll get round to them in time'.

Sorry for all background, but my query is this: I cannot now go to work, as I can't leave her alone, I cannot claim income support as I don't meet any of the criteria, and I cannot claim job seeker's allowance as I cannot actively look for work and be willing to work.

I will be contacting NCPCC for advice, and finding a solicitor to assist on Monday, but would really appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Just to make things absolutely clear - my daughter is 15 years old, and mature, sensible and competent for her age.

Many Thanks

Morglin

Normally, it would not attract police attention if a parent left a 15 year old home alone, but as she's on the Child Protection Register, it suggests that there other concerns, and they perhaps consider her vulnerable to harm of some sort?

For them to enter forcibly also suggests there are major problems here, as having worked for a local child protection dept, some years ago, I know they don't take these decisions lightly.

Obviously, it's your business, and yours alone, what's going on, but I assume she/you have a keyworker, and usually they are able to talk to the DWP to sort out practical issues, such as benefits.

As the half term is now over, and schools are back on Monday, surely she wouldn't be alone anyway? She will be at school while you are at work and there won't be a problem.

It's really dicfficult to advise you with this, as it's obviously complicated, but you do need to see a solicitor, and you need to be talking to the DWP about what benefits/tax credits yoiu can claim.

If social services require you to be at home all the time, and not leave your daughter at all, then you could claim Income Support and your social worker could help you with this.

Social Services should have already advised you about how to get legal help, but aterntaively, this may help you to find a solicitor who accepts legal aid:

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/areasoflaw/view=areasoflawdetails.law?AREAOFLAW=Legal%20aid%20-%20civil&AREAOFLAWID=50

You could also contact the CAB:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/family_index_ew.htm

These may also help:

http://www.fassit.co.uk/
http://www.unity-injustice.co.uk/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/YourMoney/DG_4003043

Lin

goodlife

Thanks for your help, I will contact the above.

Obviously this isn't the place to go through the ins and outs, but she is on cpp due to a magazine article that was written about her. At the time I was interviewed by the police and social workers in the area where we lived, as there had been a complaint from an 'anonymous' person. They were very satisfied that this was a ridiculous situation and agreed no further action was needed. Unfortunately we then moved into a different area, the new social services got wind of the situation and have absolutely refused to let this go. It is now tantamount to a witch hunt and bullying. Obviously i'm not going to name areas etc, but this local authority have a reputation for being vicious shall we say, and have had some negative press in the last week or so.

My daughter is home schooled (which again they don't like) so does spend some time at home on her own.

My career is now effectively over, I was on the sick with stress due to this for a few months, therefore had no problem attending the never ending meetings. I have been telling them since January that when I go back to work, the nature of my job means it is very, very difficult to take regular time off for meetings. They ignored this and forced entry (without a warrant) yesterday citing me 'not complying'. This non-compliance was in the past month when I told them I was back at work and could not make meetings. I had been asking them for help and understanding re. this for weeks.

I earn around £30,000 a year, have a 15 year old daughter and a baby on the way.

I now cannot work.

bunny999

Would it be possible to send her to school ? When is she 16, will the situation change then ? Is the baby on the way your or your daughters ?

thorsoak

How do you manage home schooling when you are at work?

DX2

No mention of father/husband, is he able to help?

goodlife

I have been trying to get her back into school since December but the education welfare officer has been of little use. This is why we have stuck with home educating her.

Baby on way is mine, and father works very long and irregular hours.

Just a little update, have phoned NSPCC helpline for advice, and they have confirmed no legal age limit and that I am not doing anything wrong, told me to go about my business as usual this weekend, but advised me not to go to work on Monday. They also agreed it was looking like bullying and harrassment and advised me go get a solicitor on board asap, to complain to Director of Children's Services and re. police officers, and also to start recording (with their knowledge obviously) every meeting from here on in.

Completely ridiculous situation, and the press would no doubt have a field day with this kind of rubbish, especially as the daft police officer said in time he would be arresting every parent in the country who has left their 15 year old home alone to go to work.

I think it's a laugh or cry moment, if it wasn't so totally exasperating and unpleasant it would be funny just for it's sheer craziness.

Many thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read and comment.

goodlife

sorry, just realised there was another question there, I set her work the night before I go to work, we work on evenings and weekends, and she has private tutors for some things. she's working towards her gcse's and is a very talented musician, so actually quite likes the peace and quiet to study.

DX2

goodlife wrote: »

Completely ridiculous situation, and the press would no doubt have a field day with this kind of rubbish, especially as the daft police officer said in time he would be arresting every parent in the country who has left their 15 year old home alone to go to work.

Personally I wouldn't say it was a ridiculous situation, child aren't placed on the CPR willy nilly.

bunny999

If you have to stop work and/or your income decreases you might be entitled to tax credits. Also as you are having a baby you will behaving time off anyway and should be entitled to some sort of maternity benefit.
You could suggest that they actually help with the situation with your daughter (provide support) and with a bit of luck you might never see them again.

paulofessex

Just to clarify for point of interest. There is no legal age limit of which a child can be left home alone, or indeed for a sibling to care for a younger sibling. However it is up to the parent to ensure that the child is mature and competent enough to act in the correct way in the event of an emergency. A parent risks being taken through the court system for child neglect if thought otherwise.