What other avenues could I go down please

pixelation

sazzybum wrote: »

I just dodn't understand the jobsworths who put a 3 yr old into a cold hall without her mummy because it was their closing time..:mad:

Believe me-this fight isn't over!

I will read the whole thread soon, but need to reply to this.
Call the Police - this is assault, plain and simple.

mishkanorman

how is that assault ?? the child wasnt left alone she was with her grandmother ??

the_cat

It sounds to me like they have been a little too accomodating tbh. What exactly could they do if the mother refused to move?
Presumably they would then have to either find some other mug to say yes (this could be why they keep getting moved cos its far easier to put in one call to someone who you know will say yes) or put the new family in the already vacant house

Deffo speak to Shelter and/or CAB. Deffo also make a formal complaint, not only because of the callous and heavy handed social worker this time, but also because she is continually being moved from pillar to post. That is detrimental to the childs welfare in itself

Errata

It's not a good situation when someone is moved from homless accom to homeless accom at very short notice, and the mother and daughter have my sympathy. Having said that, the workman only asked for the key 5 minutes before it was due to be handed over anyway and there seems to be an awful lot of fuss and bother over five minutes. If the daughter was all ready to move out by 5 then she would have been 99.9% ready to move out five minutes earlier than that.
The other point is that if a tenant is due to vacate a property at a specific time then a workman can stand there and demand all he likes - his demand doesn't have to be complied with unless his manner was harrassing and intimidating, in which case a formal complaint should be made about him.

sazzybum

Thanks again,

It wasn't a social worker btw -it was a housing officer (I call 'em all council workers-sorry)

Cat- GDs mother is very quiet, and wouldn't fight a fly, hence me taking this up now, and I agree with you saying they've been too accommodating. I have kept out of it up until now because I didn't know half of what was going on. Her and my son never had a relationship- GD is a result of one night of drunken-ness but she is still my GD, and his daughter, and we love her.

I understand what you're saying Errata, and thank you for responding. I know it's only hearsay, but evidently the woman was quite rude to her. They asked for an extra 5 minutes so they could get everything out, and transport GD to the new place-but was quite emphatically told 'no chance'. I know they were told to be out by 5pm, but you know the amount of stuff a 3 year old generates...and to pack it up in less that 24 hours..

viktory

pixelation wrote: »

Call the Police - this is assault, plain and simple.

How is this assault?

delain

sazzybum wrote: »

Thanks again,

It wasn't a social worker btw -it was a housing officer (I call 'em all council workers-sorry)

Cat- GDs mother is very quiet, and wouldn't fight a fly, hence me taking this up now, and I agree with you saying they've been too accommodating. I have kept out of it up until now because I didn't know half of what was going on. Her and my son never had a relationship- GD is a result of one night of drunken-ness but she is still my GD, and his daughter, and we love her.

I understand what you're saying Errata, and thank you for responding. I know it's only hearsay, but evidently the woman was quite rude to her. They asked for an extra 5 minutes so they could get everything out, and transport GD to the new place-but was quite emphatically told 'no chance'. I know they were told to be out by 5pm, but you know the amount of stuff a 3 year old generates...and to pack it up in less that 24 hours..

I just wanted to say, although having a child from a one night thing is not ideal, it is lovely to see the mum of said child so close to the Dad's side of the family and to see that you are obviously so loving and supportive, as is your son :T

sazzybum

Hi all, well- a small update..:mad:

I nipped in on my way home from work today to see how she was getting on and to pass on the advice from all you kind people, only to be informed that.....the chief housing officer had called her this morning-to tell her that THEY wre going to charge her moving fees because she had left a large (working) TV behind when she left the old flat!!!!

She didn't have the manpower to lift it, or the room in her car to get it to her new flat, so left it behind. When the council went to inspect it, they said they would have to trash it- and charge HER for the privelidge!!! :mad::mad:

Cold fury isn't half of what I felt. I understand that there are processes in place due to what some minkers leave behind but the flat was spotless, and that was the only thing out of place.

I told her about formal complaints procedure, but she doesn't want to in case it screws up her chances of a permanent home. And knowing the personality of this certain housing officer-I wouldn't put it past them. However I'm going to pursue it-I'm fed up of tinpot little jobsworths trampling on people who don't have a voice.

Adn please- I know there are honourable housing officers out there, just not these ones.

I'll be researching the links I have been given this evening-thank you all

Savvy_Sue

sazzybum wrote: »

I told her about formal complaints procedure, but she doesn't want to in case it screws up her chances of a permanent home. And knowing the personality of this certain housing officer-I wouldn't put it past them. However I'm going to pursue it-I'm fed up of tinpot little jobsworths trampling on people who don't have a voice.

The trouble is, I'm not sure they will entertain a complaint from you, because - to put it bluntly - what business is it of yours? You're not their tenant (or if you are, you're not the tenant who has the problem). I agree with you that the way she's being pushed around is appalling, but unless SHE signs the complaint, I am not sure you will get anywhere.

However, it should NOT screw up her chances of a permanent home, it might even improve them, because this really isn't on, to make someone move at 24 hours notice (and STILL only into very temporary accommodation!)

Does she get a different HO in the new place, or does the same person deal with both properties?

You could do some research on the council website and find out about policies and timescales for homelessness provision.

And you could see what Shelter say, and take their advice on making a complaint. Hopefully they will reassure your DD that this shouldn't affect her chances of getting proper housing - surely she's 'bidding', and it's got less to do with the HO than it used to? - and tell you if I'm wrong about whether you can make a complaint.

sazzybum

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

The trouble is, I'm not sure they will entertain a complaint from you, because - to put it bluntly - what business is it of yours? You're not their tenant (or if you are, you're not the tenant who has the problem). I agree with you that the way she's being pushed around is appalling, but unless SHE signs the complaint, I am not sure you will get anywhere.

However, it should NOT screw up her chances of a permanent home, it might even improve them, because this really isn't on, to make someone move at 24 hours notice (and STILL only into very temporary accommodation!)

Does she get a different HO in the new place, or does the same person deal with both properties?

You could do some research on the council website and find out about policies and timescales for homelessness provision.

And you could see what Shelter say, and take their advice on making a complaint. Hopefully they will reassure your DD that this shouldn't affect her chances of getting proper housing - surely she's 'bidding', and it's got less to do with the HO than it used to? - and tell you if I'm wrong about whether you can make a complaint.

Thanks Sue. Oh I know you're right about it not being my business..but maybe if I do the legwork, and show her that she won't be penalised for complaining-she might feel safe in doing so-if that makes sense. It's my grand-daughter, and I'm angry on behalf of her

We live in a very small town-almost a village-in the Highlands, and it's the same HO (appropriate! oops) she has in the new place. There only is 2 of them plus the little Hitler from yesterday.

She's not my DD by the way, she's my GDs mother..I'll need to invent another initial for that eh?:D Lovely girl, wonderful mother, just very quiet and doesn't like to push herself forward-which I believe they have latched onto and think they can do anything without being held to account.

I'll research the council website this evening-and get all the information I can to add to what I've got then give her it to do with what she will-and let her know I'm behind her all the way.

Saz:)