Children taken by social services- what can we do?

[time2burn]

Hi
Our friend who is Slovak has just had her 3 children taken by social services in the Tyne & Wear area
Her oldest son reported her for smacking the children, which it seems is illegal now!?
They forced her to sign a Section 20 to make kids goto her in-laws(her mother dying of cancer in hospital so couldn't go there)
so they are there now.
They interviewed children without any notice to school or mother, just turned up and forced mother to stay away from kids!

So anyone know:

1. What her basic rights are? What can she do now?
2. A family solicitor that deals with this sort of thing
3. She would require legal aid, as very low income

She can speak English but anything complicated it is hard for her to understand

As you can imagine with visiting her mother daily in hospital with cancer this couldn't come at a worse time

Any help would be great

Thanks

[Kati]

Re: Children taken by social services- what can we do?

Tagging [MENTION=15129]Crazy council[/MENTION] [MENTION=8640]leclerc[/MENTION] ... try not to worry too much at the minute [MENTION=46360]time2burn[/MENTION], you'll he lots of help and support for your friend here xx

[Crazy council]

Re: Children taken by social services- what can we do?

Hi

Your friend needs to get a solisitor ASAP, let them deal with this,

They forced her to sign a Section 20 to make kids goto her in-laws

I suspect that meens that its not a private law matter, and if so, i think she gets full legal aid

[Peridot]

Re: Children taken by social services- what can we do?

Hi,
Your friend will need a family lawyer who specialises in public law children area. You could have a look on justbeagle.com for a local solicitor in the area with this specialism. It is really important that she gets advice as soon as possible.
It must be so difficult with her mother in law in hospital too and so stressful but it is important to get the advice as soon as possible. I'm sure her mother in law will understand particularly as she obviously has had involvement with the children.

[time2burn]

Re: Children taken by social services- what can we do?

Hi
We tried the just beagle site for lawyer and 3 of the suggestions didn't do family law even though site said they did(some feedback for site admin there)

The social worker is seeing mum TODAY, we are waiting for the solicitor we finally contacted(not near by unfortunately) who deals with family law and accepts legal aid cases.

But doesn't look like the sol will be present, but we do have a interpreter .

Can we post pone meeting and refuse to say anything until sol present? as she and we don't know what rights she has or what questions to ask, what law to quote etc

Thanks

[Peridot]

Re: Children taken by social services- what can we do?

Hi,
sorry you had a problem with the beagle site. It is very new and we are getting through the 11,000 law firms legal areas slowly but surely. So sorry you're area has evidently not been sorted as yet. We will get there and thanks for letting us know.
It is good that you have managed to arrange an interpreter but I wouldn't refuse to have the meeting. As far as social services are concerned your friend has to be seen to be co-operating. Do take notes and explain that you have an appointment with a solicitor in the next week, but unfortunately that was the earliest appointment.
It may be that what the social worker has to say is acceptable but then again it may be a shock to your friend. Currently it seems that she has no idea other than her son saying he has been smacked as to why they have jumped in so heavy handed.
Treat the appointment as an information gathering exercise and if reasonable proposals are put forward then by all means accept them. If there is anything she is unsure about she needs to make it clear that she is not being difficult but she doesn't understand the ramifications of something or other and thinks that she may need to speak to the lawyer.
As I say it may be that she will actually find out what is going on and what the options are. This website is very useful and there is also a forum for parents where you may find some pointers: http://www.familylives.org.uk/advice...d-your-family/
I hope all goes well tomorrow.