Children’s Services (Social Care)

Understanding social care, protecting your children, and staying grounded when professionals get it wrong.

When Children’s Services (social care) become involved with your family, it can feel terrifying. Many parents are already dealing with abuse, trauma and fear — then find themselves under scrutiny instead of being supported.

This page explains what Children’s Services are supposed to do, what your rights are, and how to protect your children if practice is poor, biased or unsafe.

You are not alone. 1VAA can help you understand each step and respond calmly and effectively.

What Children’s Services Are Supposed to Do

Children’s Services exist to:

Protect children from abuse and neglect
Assess risk and identify what support is needed
Work with parents to keep children safe at home where possible
Take action where a child is in immediate or serious danger
Work alongside police, schools and health professionals

In reality, parents often experience judgment, blame and confusion instead of clear safeguarding work. That is why understanding the process is so important.

When Children’s Services Get Involved

Children’s Services may become involved when:

Someone makes a safeguarding referral (school, GP, neighbour, police, other agencies)
Police attend a domestic abuse incident where children are present or living in the home
There are concerns about neglect, physical harm, emotional abuse or sexual abuse
There are repeated incidents of conflict, separation or contact disputes

Being contacted by social care does not automatically mean your child will be removed. It means there are “concerns” that they must explore.

You have the right to understand what the concerns are and what they are planning to do.

Types of Social Care Involvement

Initial Contact / Referral

Social care receives information about a possible risk to a child. They decide whether to:

Take no further action
Offer early help / voluntary support
Start an assessment
Hold a strategy meeting with police and other agencies

Assessments

Social workers may carry out assessments to understand your child’s situation. This can include:

Home visits
Speaking with you and the children
Contact with schools and other professionals
Reviewing previous reports or police incidents

Child in Need / Child Protection Plans

If they consider the child at risk, they may place them on:

Child in Need (CiN) plan – support is needed to improve outcomes
Child Protection (CP) plan – there is a risk of significant harm

These plans involve regular meetings, goals, and monitoring. You should be given copies of the plans and minutes from meetings.

Your Rights as a Parent or Carer

You have the right to:

Be treated with respect and without discrimination
Know what concerns have been raised about your child
See and correct factual inaccuracies in reports (with evidence)
Have your own views recorded in assessments and meeting minutes
Ask for written copies of plans, assessments and decisions
Ask who is involved and what the process will be
Take a trusted supporter or advocate to meetings (where allowed)

If you feel unsafe or intimidated by a professional, you are allowed to ask for communication in writing and for another worker, manager or advocate to be present.

Working With Social Workers (and Protecting Yourself)

It is important to show that you are willing to engage, while also protecting yourself and your children from unsafe practice.

Some practical tips:

Keep a written record of all contacts: dates, times, who called, what was said
Ask for key instructions or decisions to be confirmed in writing
Stay calm and factual, even if you feel attacked or misunderstood
Bring notes to meetings so you don’t forget important points
Ask them to explain anything you do not understand – in plain language
If you feel accused or blamed, ask: “Can you show me where this is evidenced?”

You are allowed to challenge inaccurate information and to make formal complaints where necessary. 1VAA can help you draft these.

Meetings and Conferences

Support from 1VAA includes helping you prepare for:

Child in Need meetings
Child Protection conferences
Core group meetings
Professionals’ meetings (held about you, not always with you present)

Before a meeting, try to:

Ask for the agenda or reason for the meeting
Read any reports or assessments in advance
Write down your main concerns, questions and corrections
Take your incident log or chronology to refer to if needed
Ask if you can bring a supporter, advocate or McKenzie Friend

After the meeting, request copies of the minutes and check that what you said is accurately recorded.

Recording and Evidencing Interactions

Many parents find that what was said in meetings or calls is later reported differently.

To protect yourself:

Keep written notes of all meetings and calls
Send short follow-up emails such as: “Just to confirm my understanding of today’s meeting…”
Store copies of all letters, texts and emails from social workers
Keep your own log of any home visits (time, who came, what they said)

In some areas you may be allowed to record meetings, but this can be sensitive. Always check guidance and get legal advice if you are unsure. 1VAA can help you think through the safest way to evidence what is happening.

Challenging Poor Practice

Social workers are not allowed to:

Ignore evidence of abuse or risk
Threaten you with removal as a way to force compliance
Falsify records or misrepresent what has been said
Discriminate against you because of gender, race, disability, relationship status or mental health history

If you believe this is happening, you can:

Ask to speak to the worker’s manager
Request that incorrect information is corrected with supporting evidence
Use the local authority’s complaints procedure
Ask for an advocate or independent reviewing officer (where available)
Seek legal advice if the situation is escalating towards court

1VAA provides templates, complaint routes and guidance to help you challenge unsafe decisions and escalate concerns when you are not being listened to.