Some children I work with are on Child Protection plans as a result of domestic violence. In these cases, the custodial parent (frequently the children's mother) signs a Family Safety Agreement in 'partnership' with the Local Authority. Among a number of conditions set out, the custodial parent signs to agree that there is to be no contact between the partner who was responsible for the violence and the children unless supervised contact is set up. Even then, the contact is to remain within the parameters of this arrangement, in agreement with the Local Authority. I have always felt reassured with these documents in place.
Lately, I have at times felt my Early Warning Signs when the contract is mentioned in meetings, having doubts as to whether the boundaries of contact are being adhered to by the custodial parent as agreed. According to an article I have just read, it is likely that there are times the conditions of the agreements are in fact, being breached. Given this, one concern is that the agreements in place can create a false sense of security for professionals involved in helping to protect the children.
www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/...l-keep-children-safe
On realising this, I felt disillusioned for a moment .... then I considered the range of ways to use the PB Process to help "safeguard children" if this might be happening in their family and help them restore some control for themselves. ("safeguarding children" definition, page 7 -
www.gov.uk/government/publications/worki...o-safeguard-children
)
Would love to hear some ideas of how to use PBs to help the parent feel empowered to uphold the agreement, too.
Judith
