Child In Need Meeting worried

croyland87

Hi I have a child in need meeting 10 days time for my child what will happen what are my rights and do I need a solicitor or advocate someone please help. Thank you

Firefly

http://http://islingtonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_cin_planning.html

This might help. These meetings tend to be about the rights of the child.

Gigglepig

What are your worries? are you concerned about the child having issues that needs addressed, or that fingers will be pointed at you, or about potential custody issues?

Eta - the reason I'm asking is that if you are more specific regarding what you are worried about then people can also give you more specific/helpful advice.

squirrelchops

OP - to clarify, childrens social services have recently undertaken an assessment with your child/ren?

motherbored21

Don't worry, it's usually a multi-disciplinary meeting, dependant on your child's needs. OT, SALT , EdPsych and school could be present. This won't be the only meeting, it's usually used to start various processes off.

If you don't understand anything that is being said, please sk them to clarify. I am sure they will be happy to. Take someone with you, if you think they might help, sometimes they remember things to ask that you forget!

squirrelchops

Ah, I have read a previous post by OP and can see that school referred to social services.

Basically child in need under S17 of the Children Act 1989 is voluntary. If you dont want to engage then you don't have to. However, it appears from the Social Worker's assessment that they consider that your child/ren require additional support. Here is the definition under the Children Act of a Child in Need:
For the purposes of this Part a child shall be taken to be in need if—

(a)he is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him of services by a local authority under this Part;

(b)his health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for him of such services; or

(c)he is disabled,

No you don't need legal representation as it is voluntary.
However rather than think about 'your rights' think about the needs of your children.
What did the assessment raise as concerns that led to further involvement being necessary rather than the case closing as no further action or for your child/ren to be supported in the community?

croyland87

Gigglepig wrote: »

What are your worries? are you concerned about the child having issues that needs addressed, or that fingers will be pointed at you, or about potential custody issues?

Eta - the reason I'm asking is that if you are more specific regarding what you are worried about then people can also give you more specific/helpful advice.

He is attending main stream school and has a Disability and soils his self and the school are struggling to take care of him but rather than tell me about the whole picture they told the SW that they are concerned that something is going on at home and yes I am worried about fingers being pointed at me and custody as well.

kingfisherblue

croyland87 wrote: »

He is attending main stream school and has a Disability and soils his self and the school are struggling to take care of him but rather than tell me about the whole picture they told the SW that they are concerned that something is going on at home and yes I am worried about fingers being pointed at me and custody as well.

I don't know if this will reassure you, but a friend of mine has a child with disabilities. He also soils himself at times during school hours. They have CiN meetings, at one point they were every month. There has never been any question about removing custody. Instead, my friend and her family now get a bit more support. Their son is now in a special school, which is more suited to his needs. They also receive respite once a week and have been moved by the housing association to more suitable accommodation.

fluffnutter

croyland87 wrote: »

He is attending main stream school and has a Disability and soils his self and the school are struggling to take care of him but rather than tell me about the whole picture they told the SW that they are concerned that something is going on at home and yes I am worried about fingers being pointed at me and custody as well.

What's the SW's take on this? Are they concerned about things at home? Do you feel you're getting the support you need?

Alikay

If there is anyone else involved in your child's care, then yes, they should ideally be at the meeting. This would be people such as the nurse from the school health team (who I imagine will already be invited anyway), maybe the child's non resident parent if you're separated from them, and if you have support from an organisation like Home Start or a charity/group associated with your child's disability they may be able to send someone.

Try not to worry too much - the school are concerned about not being able to cope with your child's needs in school, and this is the way of getting a multi agency team together to work out exactly what those needs are. Once established, everyone can discuss how best to deal with the issues whilst all parties are sat round together, as different agencies have responsibility for different things.

Splitting up the family isn't the aim at all, although inevitably there will be families where neglect and abuse can indicate this is best for the children. It doesn't look like this has been suggested in your case at all.

NewShadow

Is there a parent partnership in your area?

It might be a bit short notice for this meeting, but they can send someone that's familiar with the processes and procedures to 'be on your side' - they can take notes, ask questions, with keep checking with you if you seem quiet that you're okay and following everything.

SNAPCymru is the pp for wales I think.