[Solved] What to do next???

Hi Craneman,

Welcome to the site! I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It must be incredibly worrying for you.

I'm going to ask one of the other Dad's to comment as I feel they may have more experience in this area. I'll also ask our Legal Experts to drop by with some advice. Given that it's a bank holiday weekend they may not respond for a few days, so keep popping back to see if they've replied.

If you feel that the matter can't wait, then I would contact our legal experts at the Coram Children's Legal Centre directly. They offer free legal advice for anyone who doesn't currently have a solicitor and there's a link to their website at the foot of this page!

FM '70

Hi Filmaker_1970

Thanks for your response I will await further advise.

Craneman

Hi Craneman

As well as the legal experts at CCLC, it's possible that the Family Rights Group may be able to advise, so I'll ask them to pop on as well.

Hi Craneman,

Hope we can be of some help.

You mention that your child is with Child Protective Services... so based on that i would surmise that they are now in care.

As far as i have been made aware previously (working the old memory banks here), you will need to complete a C1 form and a supplemental form called a C15 form. I would also strongly advise that you consider completing also a C1A.

C1
This will petition the Courts to construct (make) an Order in relation to your Child

C15
Will instruct, via way of the Courts, to the Service an Application to allow Contact

C1A
Although its not 100% necessary, i would nevertheless submit this form alongside the above to highlight you have concerns regarding abuse, violence etc while your child is under care (aka a Looked After Child). Something as simple as: I am concerned that there is an increased risk relating to drugs, violence and abuse by other Looked After Children. Other Looked After Children may or may not be living with [CHILDS FULL NAME], but could be in Contact with [CHILDS FULL NAME] by way of the Service. This i believe could present an increased risk, which i [YOUR FULL NAME] am willing to seek prevention to

As ever, its always worth getting some information from the CCLC when they post, however if you need specifics as to the forms, feel free to post back and i'm sure we can offer guidance on how best to complete the forms.

Dear Craneman,

We would require further information from you in order to advise.

May we suggest you contact us directly to discuss the issue.

Please contact us again via our webchat facility. The link to our webchat is http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/index.php?page=web_chat. Alternatively, you can contact us via our free phone helpline on 0808 8020 008.

Yours sincerely,

Coram Children’s Legal Centre

I have just found out that my child has been removed from his mother by child protection services and been place in protective custody with his grandmother, I was not informed of this by any authorities and do not know where I stand!!! I believe my son will not be going back to her anytime soon. I do have PR and would like to know if anyone else has experienced this or could give advise about getting custody, many thanks

Hello Craneman

I am an adviser at Family Rights Group. We advise families in touch with children's services (new name for social services)

You mention that your child was removed by child protection services and placed in protective custody. I wonder if it was children’s services or the police who removed your child?

The police have powers to remove a child to a place of safety for up to 72hours.

Children’s services do not have a legal right to remove a child from his/ her parents without a court order or the agreement of a parent with PR. If it was children’s services who removed your child (for example with mother’s reluctant agreement), they should have sought to place the child with someone else with PR as a priority.

If your child is accommodated (with mum’s consent) you may be able to request that he is placed in your care with immediate effect as children’s services cannot accommodate a child if a person who has parental responsibility for them objects and can provide suitable accommodation themselves. This will not be the case if mum has a residence order, however.

However the child was removed, children’s services will clearly now be involved and have a responsibility to involve you as a father with PR. I would advise that you make contact with the relevant children's services, give your child’s name and date of birth and state that you are the child’s father, that you have PR and that you wish to speak to the allocated social worker as a matter of urgency.

If you would like any further support regarding the role of children’s services, please do post again or contact us directly on our free advice line 0808 801 0366 which is open from 9.30- 3.30, Monday- Friday.

Hope this helps

Best Wishes

FRG Adviser