Social Services in Breach of Contact Court Order?

Lord_Dante

Morning,

Need some help and this looks like the most likely board to get it.

I have a contact order with my son where I can see him four times a year with a support worker supervising. I haven't had a visit in 6 months now because social services won't organise one. The reason they've given me is that the support worker is now a social worker and they don't want him using his time to supervise me.

The problem is that the original contact order names the specific support/social worker so they cant just provide me another one.

I'm having difficulty getting anywhere. My calls aren't returned and no one seems bothered. I only found out the problem through chasing them up myself and all I keep getting told is it's with the legal department to apply for a change in the order which is fair enough but I still expect my visits in the mean time.

Can anyone advise me what my next steps are? I'm thinking start with a complaint letter and reapply to court but I have no idea where to start. I can't get legal aid because I work so any help or advice is much appreciated!

Thanks

DVardysShadow

I suggest you DIY and ask the court to order that the current order be fulfilled. Courts do not like their orders being ignored. Make it plain in the application that you will not object to the council applying to vary the order to allow another SW to supervise.

Lord_Dante

Thanks I suspected as much. At least I have a second opinion!

DVardysShadow

Then perhaps a Letter Before Action, telling the council of your intentions if they do not sort something within say 21 days and to aply for costs against them

LondonDiva

Go on the council's website and email the social services complaints team - ask them to look into this and provide an explanation and plan of action to resolve. You should have an answer in about a month and a way to escalate to the Ombudsman.if you're not happy.