[Solved] social services

Morning Seven,

I have asked the Childrens Legal Centre to have a look and see if they are able to offer any advice to you.

Cheers

Gooner

Dear sevenhills,

Social services have broad powers and it is difficult to say what action they may take in the current situation. If you would like some support to help you with dealing with social services it will be worthwhile contacting the Family Rights Group (telephone: 0808 801 0366, website: http://www.frg.org.uk/ ).

If you would like your daughter to remain living with you, you could apply to court for a Residence Order which, if issued, it would be legally binding upon your former partner and would state that your daughter should be residing with you. Your former partner will be able to contest your application.

If you have any questions or would like to apply to court for a residence order then please do contact us on 0808 802 0008.

Yours sincerely,

The Children’s Legal Centre

Hi

Since my daughter wants to live at both houses, and I want to carry on working, then perhaps shared care is the best way forward.
I have looked at this before, but could not get much info. Is it easy to get if both parties agree? And how much different would this mean in monetary terms? My daughter goes to high school in september, so giving up work is not a move that I want to make. Social services were involved some months ago, but they just seemed to be concerned about short term safety; do SS make long term reccomendations?

I don't have too much experience with SS, but if can come to an agreement with your ex, then it's always going to be easier. One problem I do see though, is how SS would react if your daughter was living with you but having to get herself ready, get to and from school, and coming back to an empty house if you are working hours that don't let you be there - it's certainly worth following the Childrens Legal Centre advice and contacting FRG. I'd also look into whether there is a breakfast club and after school club at the school - if so, you know your daughter is in good hands for longer during the day.

As far as I know, benefits are paid to the parent who has a child for most nights, so I'd say that this is you (of course, you can make a private arrangement with your ex on finance), but contact them to find out for certain.

One problem I do see though, is how SS would react if your daughter was living with you but having to get herself ready, get to and from school, and coming back to an empty house if you are working hours that don't let you be there - it's certainly worth following the Childrens Legal Centre advice and contacting FRG. I'd also look into whether there is a breakfast club and after school club at the school - if so, you know your daughter is in good hands for longer during the day.

My daughter gets dropped off at her mothers early morning, 6.30am, not ideal; but her mother cannot cope with too much contact.
I work for the local council, so they will be flexible, I get school holidays off; but its finding a ballance between work and home, and money.

I need to get Child Tax Credit and all the other stuff, because I do find money tight.

If she is, or will be, in any form of childcare, then look at childcare vouchers - they'll save you money (though they can reduce child tax credit to some extent). You definitely want to get all benefits due to you as soon as possible, and if you are the parent with care, then potentially, you could get maintenance from your ex - even if it's only £5 per week - though I'd leave that until residence is settled so that doesn't become an issue that gets in the way.

Hi

Having discussed things with my daughter, shared care seems to be a good option to start with. My ex did contact me, we spoke about shared care, and she now seems more eager to buy my daughter the things that she needs, but not sure if her words are enough. And, going forward, I still expect to care for my daughter around 50% of the time.

Hi

Having talked to social services, it seems like the best/cheapest way to make things legal might be to apply for child benfit and force them to sort it out. Rather than paying ££££ for a solicitor. I dont see as I need a judge to issue a contact order as my daughter wants 50/50 as she does very little with her mother and she goes places with me.
Altho, I am not rushing into things, as I am not as bad as some dads being forced to pay maintenance and get very little in return; I pay no maintenance.

Glad to hear that you are so positive and have a plan.

It's great that you have such a great relationship with your daughter.