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Spurgeons and Dad.Info doesn’t investigate reports of abuse or neglect. But below, you can find advice on who to contact if you have concerns about a child or young person.
Reporting a concern
It can be difficult to know what to do if you think a child is at risk. It’s important to remember that if you’ve spotted things that don’t seem right, others will have too. Speaking up can make sure that child gets help as soon as possible.
The sooner you contact your local children’s social care duty team, the quicker they can act. They’re available 24 hours a day, and can make an anonymous report if that feels safer. If a child is in immediate danger, please call the police straight away by dialling 999.
Report child abuse or neglect to your local council
Use these links to get in touch with your local council:
I have shared care of my 2 1/2 year old son and have to use a ‘communications book’. His mother now all of a sudden mentions in the book that the health visitor says such and such.
How can I access the health visitor myself and hear information from the ‘horses mouth ‘ so to speak? I read that Father’s hardly get a look in when it comes to health visitors.
Any help will be appreciated.
Do you have parental responsibility for your son? If so, then you could contact your GP and request information. The easier way, however, may be to request from the mother that you would like access to this, to save her the hassle of seeing you in court if it came to that.
Do you have parental responsibility for your son? If so, then you could contact your GP and request information. The easier way, however, may be to request from the mother that you would like access to this, to save her the hassle of seeing you in court if it came to that.
Thanks for the reply.
I have parental responsibility. My son’s GP Surgery is not mine but his Mother's. However I have officially told them of me being his Father and having parental responsibility. I would ask his Mother, but after what she had done I don’t trust her to give me the correct information.
Hi there,
I had a very similar problem a few years ago accessing my son's medical records as he was registered at his mum's GP practice, and she felt she only needed to share 'the important stuff', which meant I often only found out about several of his illnesses either through school attendance records, or days after the event.
What you could do (if you haven't already, and if going through the mum is a hassle) is go to the surgery with photo ID (like your passport) and a copy of your son's birth certificate, and formally register as his father with PR. They are then obligated to share your son's medical information with you and allow you access to his medical records while he is so young. In my case, the GP put a lot of obstacles in the way because the mother had been going to that surgery for years, so they had some sort of 'loyalty' towards her, which I knew from advice was not only unprofessional, but in contravention of family law.
You have every right to be fully involved in your son's health care.
Hi there,
I had a very similar problem a few years ago accessing my son's medical records as he was registered at his mum's GP practice, and she felt she only needed to share 'the important stuff', which meant I often only found out about several of his illnesses either through school attendance records, or days after the event.
What you could do (if you haven't already, and if going through the mum is a hassle) is go to the surgery with photo ID (like your passport) and a copy of your son's birth certificate, and formally register as his father with PR. They are then obligated to share your son's medical information with you and allow you access to his medical records while he is so young. In my case, the GP put a lot of obstacles in the way because the mother had been going to that surgery for years, so they had some sort of 'loyalty' towards her, which I knew from advice was not only unprofessional, but in contravention of family law.
You have every right to be fully involved in your son's health care.
Thanks.
I have formally informed the GP surgery about me and they should inform me etc. of important information. I don’t understand why Fathers are treated like second class citizens when in a separated parent’s situation.
I’ll probably ask Mother for the health visitor’s details (to cover my back), but I’ll also ask the GP too. I assume writing a formal letter would be best?
A lot of issues with PR and Medical are down to a lack of knowledge from the school or GP surgeries of their legal obligations.
If you search on google for Custody Minefield and Separated Dads, you should be able to find example letters that you can send.
A lot of issues with PR and Medical are down to a lack of knowledge from the school or GP surgeries of their legal obligations.
If you search on google for Custody Minefield and Separated Dads, you should be able to find example letters that you can send.
Thanks for the advice.