It can be hard enough to come to terms with the fact that you’ve become a victim of domestic violence, let alone the fear that your child or children may be taken away from you in order to protect them.
The instinctive reaction may well be to make excuses for the bruises, keep up the pretence that everything at home is normal and avoid making contact with those agencies that are there to support you, such as social services, police, midwives, health visitors and teachers.
What is the role of a social worker where domestic violence is present?
It is a common misconception that a social worker deliberately set out to remove children from their parents’ care. This isn’t the case, a social worker’s intention and role is simply to protect children from suffering harm, whether it be being a victim of domestic violence themselves or witnessing it instead. Both are equally damaging to a child.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, it may well be that a social worker will want to meet with you and find out what is happening with your family. Depending upon the circumstances, the social worker may well want to do some more detailed investigations and a meeting may well take place to decide whether any children should be subject to a Child Protection Plan due to a risk of harm, be it physical, sexual, emotional etc.
You are entitled to attend such a meeting. It is completely understandable that you would be feeling scared and anxious about this, but the most sensible thing to do at this stage is to speak with a solicitor who specialises in cases involving social services and who can tell you more about what is likely to happen and what your legal rights are. Your solicitor may well come along to the meeting with you.
Social services could potentially be involved with your family for a long time, and Court hearings may take place. This whole process will be incredibly frustrating for you, especially when the social worker wants to meet with you and the children both on announced and unannounced visits. Stay calm, work with the Social Worker and not against him/her. Be honest with your solicitor, and be open and honest with your social worker. There is no need to be embarrassed and ashamed about what has happened to you.
How can Nelsons help?
If you need advice on care proceedings or children matters, please contact one of our specialist children law solicitors in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham who will be happy to discuss your circumstances in more detail and give you information about the services that we can provide.
Please call 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form.