social work evidence template
(SWET) / In the family court sitting at
In the matter of the Children Act 1989
Use of this document is recommended by the President of the Family Division,the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, Cafcass, HMCourts and Tribunals Service, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice and the Chair of the Family Justice Board, in compliance with the revised Public Law Outline (PLO) 2014.
The child(ren) – use one per template per family
Names / Gender / Date of Birth / Child’s current placement status / Child’s currentlegal status
MS / Male / Child / Residing with family members / UK citizen
Local Authority and Social Worker details
Case number
Filed by [local authority] / Sandwell Local Authority
Social work statement number in the proceedings, e.g. 1st, 2nd
N.B. A final statement should be completed on the Final Statement Template (FST) / 1st
Social work statement number for this witness e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd / 1st
This author/witness’s name, qualifications, experience, and office address / I, JK, have a MA in Social Work, from the University of Warwickshire. I have completed several in-house training and educational short to medium courses in Sandwell Children’s Services. I have over 4 years working experience working with vulnerable adults, children, young persons and their families.
I am based at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DE
This author/witness’s HCPC registration number / SWXXXXXX
Set out which court order or order/s are being sought, and why?
The Local Authority is applying for an Interim Care Order for MS due to the on-going concerns outlined in the main body of the statement.
Contents page
Page no.Section 1 / Case details / 3
1.1 / Family composition / 4
1.2 / Genogram / 4
1.3 / Ecomap / 4
Section 2 / The social work chronology / 5
Section 3 / Analysis of harm / 6
3.1 / The social work analysis of risk and protective factors / 6
3.2 / The outcome and analysis of local authority involvement / 6
Section 4 / Child impact analysis on each individual child / 6
4.1 / Analysis of the child’s daily life and experience / 6
4.2 / Analysis of the child’s welfare and development needs and steps taken to meet these needs / 7
4.3 / The child’s wishes and feelings / 7
4.4 / The child’s own statement (where applicable) / 7
4.5 / The child’s involvement in the court case. / 7
Section 5 / Analysis of parenting capability / 8
Section 6 / Analysis of wider family capability / 9
Section 7 / The proposed S31A care plan – the ‘realistic options’ analysis / 9
7.1 / List of discounted options / 9
7.2 / Table of realistic placement options / 10
7.3 / The preferred and proposed placement option for each child / 11
7.4 / The contact plan / 11
Section 8 / The range of views of parties and significants others / 11
8.1 / Mother’s views / 11
8.2 / Father’s views / 12
8.3 / Views of wider family members / 12
8.4 / Views of any other parties or significant others / 12
Section 9 / Case management issues and proposals / 12
Section 10 / Statement of procedural fairness / 13
Section 11 / Signature / 13
Section 12 / The welfare checklist in full for reference / 14
1. Case details
1.1 Family composition
- This section should include family members and relationships, and should specify the relationship in respect of each child subject to the application. Please set out the family members' full names, their dates of birth, their nationality, ethnicity and their current addresses.
- Where an address needs to be kept confidential, send the information to the court.
Name / Relationship / Parental Responsibility / DOB / Nationality / Ethnicity / Address
Mrs AB / Mother / Yes / Deceased / XXXXX / M / N/A
Mr AB / Father / Yes / Deceased / XXXXX / M / N/A
MH / Brother / No / Adult / XXXXX / M / Address A, West Midlands
Mr Z / Described as Brother but not blood related / No / Adult / XXXXX / M / Address A, West Midlands
Mr S / Maternal Uncle / No / Adult / XXXXX / M / Address B, Out of Borough
Mrs S / Aunt (through marriage) / No / Adult / XXXXX / M / Address B, Out of Borough
Rel 1 / Cousin / No / Adult / XXXXX / M / Address B, Out of Borough
Rel 2 / Cousin / No / Child / XXXXX / M / Address B, Out of Borough
Rel 3 / Cousin / No / Child / XXXXX / M / Address B, Out of Borough
This document is confidential and contains sensitive information. It should not be disclosed without permission of the court. Data protection standards must always be complied with.
SWE11 (11.15) Page 1 of 22
1.2 Genogram (mandatory)(but format may be adapted)
- Include family members and their relationship to each child.
1.3 Ecomap (risky and protective contacts) (optional)
This document is confidential and contains sensitive information. It should not be disclosed without permission of the court. Data protection standards must always be complied with.
SWE11 (11.15) Page 1 of 22
2. The social work chronology- List significant events which can be evidenced.
- Focus on the last two years unless prior events are significant.
Date / Incident or sequence of incidents relevant to the child’s welfare / Significance
01.04.xxxx / Referral received from the Dialysis Unit XXXX stating ' MS’'s Mum attends dialysis on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Mum is also partially sighted and has diabetes. Dad picked mum up yesterday and the nurses reported that the children were left home alone. They are believed to be a five year old and a young baby. There is believed to be an elder sibling called R; unsure if he resides at the home address. Concerns that this may not be the first time the children have been left alone.
Children's Services phoned R. Records state R described himself as a family friend who helps with interpreting. He explained that Mum was getting hospital transport for accessingdialysis treatment but this has stopped. Consequently, father has to get 5 year old out of bed at 11.00.p.m. to take him whilst collecting his wife and then put him back to bed. There are no otherchildren.
Dialysis Unit staff reported that when father came to the unit last night MS was not with him. The hospital staff asked him where MS was and he told nursing staff that MS was left at home on his own. There was an older child at home, further details not known.
Outcome - No further action for Children's Services. / MS has been left alone on his own therefore he was potentially at risk of physical and emotional harm. This could have also had a long-term impact on attachment if left home alone on a regular basis.
11.03.xxxx following year / Referral received from the Police stating 'At 08.30hrs Police officers attended family home in response to reports of an argument between father and son. The son was drunk and
abusive.
Outcome - No further action for Children's Services. / MS has potentially witnessed domestic abuse between his family members at a young age which will have an impact on his development.
20.03.xxxx 2 years on / Referral received from XXXX Primary School stating 'School are of the impression that MS is a young carer, as mum is poorly and has to have kidney dialysis. MS takes care of some cooking and he does not have any breakfast most days.
A relative/friend called school to say she is quite scared asthere was an incident overnight and the family turned up at her house at 1.30am because they did not feel safe at home. The family said elder brother MH, stole some money and wentinto the city with a friend and got drunk. He went back home and set fire to a pillow and someshoes and then went to take an axe to their Mum. Dad stoppedMH by removingthe axe.
This incident happened in front of MS and Mum and Dad are refusing to phone the police and therefore went to Ms XX’s house.
Outcome - No further action for Children's Services. School to complete CAF. / MS has witnessed domestic violence from a young age which can have a negative effect on his short and long-term development.
28.05.xxxx / Social work records state 'CAF has not been completed as the parents are not engaging. School said they are going to refer directly for Young Carers’ support.' / Parents not engaging in services, therefore MS is not receiving the help he requires
07.12.xxxx / Referral received from the Police via the Barnados Domestic Abuse Screening meeting stating ' Between 00:01 hours and 00:43 hours Mum has called police due to problems with her son MH, causing problems at the address whilst drunk asking her for money. She has refused and he has become aggressive and police were called. MH has been arrested to prevent further Breach of the Peace.
Outcome - No further action for Children's Services. / MS has potentially witnessed domestic abuse between his family members at a young age which will have an impact on his development.
09.03.xxxx following year / Mr AB (father) died (while out of the country). / MS experienced a significant loss in his family and this will affect his emotional state and stability.
05.06.xxxx / Referral received from the XX Hospital, Birmingham stating 'Mum is on dialysis. Dad passed away recently out of the country. All financial benefits were claimed by Dad and Mum is now without money. Family need financial support. Mum is attending hospital three times a week. Mum's neighbour asked on behalf of mother for support with the children and also financial help.'
Children's Services contacted XXXX Primary, MS's school, who said that since his father died, he is coming into school with hygiene issues. School are very willing to provide support for Mum, however they do not know whether she will accept support.
Outcome - Mum consented for CAF to be completed. No further action for Children's Services. / MS coming into school with poor hygiene will affect his confidence and his ability to make friends and his risk of being bullied are heightened.
10.12.xxxx / Referral received from the Police via the Barnardos Domestic Abuse Screening. MH has returned home drunk andhas been arguing. He has been rude to his Mother and MS. Their Mum has phoned her carer complaining, who in turn has called the Police. Police arrived and removed MH to prevent any further Breach of Peace. He was taken to the bus station stating that he will go to a friend’s home in Wales'
Outcome - Referred for CAF. No further action for Children's Services. / MS continues to witness domestic abuse between his family members and is caught in the crossfire which will have a detrimental impact on his development and his ability to build safe relationships.
08.01.xxxx
2 years on / Anonymous referral received stating MS wets himself.
MS is obese and drinks energy drinks. MS has ASB problems that Mum cannot control (smoking at Community Centre).Mom doesn't look after MS properly; she won't make him wash himself after he has wet himself so is starting to smell and he starts crying.Mum lets MS play games which he is not old enough to play. MS's elder brother MH, is an alcoholic and smokes Cannabis
School are also concerned.
Mother has denied the allegations made by the referrer.Mother states that MS was incontinent a few months ago, however this is not a problem now.R said that Mother is happy for Children's Services to undertake a home visit.
MS's School were contacted and said they do share concerns around the alcohol and Cannabis use by brother MH, however they do not have any evidence of this. School are concerned aboutMS playing with games inappropriate for his age.
Outcome - No further action for Children's Services. / There appears to be some element of truth to the referral as school share the same concerns. MS being neglected and playing games which are not age appropriatewill have an effect on his overall long and short term development.
04.12.xxxx / Mrs AB (mother) died. / MS experienced another significant loss in a short space of time this will affect his emotional state and stability and make him feel alone and vulnerable as he cannot rely on his brother due to him misusing alcohol and his aggressive behaviour.
11.05.xxxx
Following year / Referral received via NSPCCfrom a concerned member of the public raising concerns for MS in relation to neglect of his basic care needs. There are concerns forthe child's weight gain and the child is alleged to either eat junk food at home or be on the street having eaten nothing. There are further concerns for the child's personal hygiene and home conditions. The child is inadequately supervised by his carers whoallegedly work from 16:30pm until 02:00am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings leaving him in potentially unsafe and vulnerable situations given his age. There are additional concerns that the adult sibling is an alcoholic and uses Cannabis. The child appears to have access to cigarettes and has begun smoking these which is likely to impact negatively on his physical
health.
School have only had concerns regarding struggling to get hold of brother for issues such as MSnot having the right shoes, missing bag and books. MS’s behaviour has spiralled following the death of his mother.
MH disputed allegations.
Outcome - No further action for Children's Services. / MS is experiencing neglect which will have an effect on his overall development.
17.06.xxxx following year / Referral received from the Police stating MS shared aconversation over social media with another pupil at school stating he was going to stab a different pupil at school and posted a photo of a machete. The wording on the picture is "This is my toy" and he is going to stab the pupil before Monday. The other pupil asked if MS was going to stab the pupil today and he replied that no, not today as he will be checked but it will be by Monday.'
XX Academy (school) are looking to exclude MS permanently. School have already spoken to the brother and he stated that he cannot control MS.'
Outcome - Progress to referral. / MS is using threatening behaviour towards other children putting himself and others in danger. MS is looking at permanent exclusion and therefore it will be difficult for another school to accept him due to his aggressive and threatening behaviour. If MS does not have an education this will affect his future potential and social relationships.
Date / Significant events happening in the near future which are relevant for the child (e.g. the transition from primary to secondary school) / Source of evidence/document reference / Significance
N/A
3. Analysis of risk and protective factors
Key points before starting your analysis:
- The welfare checklist should be applied as appropriate throughout.
- Evidence can be primary (yours), or secondary (where you analyse what others say and think)
Mr AB and Mrs AB migrated from XXXX to the United Kingdom along with their adult son MH in the hope of leading a better life. The couple had secured UK residency however this was not achievable for MH due to reasons unknown to the Local Authority. MH continues to have no UK residency status to date and his future residency in the UK is uncertain as his application for leave to remain has been rejected on approximately 7 occasions by the UK border agency. Whilst residing in the United Kingdom Mrs AB gave birth to her youngest child MS on the XX/XX/2003.
Mr and Mrs AB both suffered from severe health conditions, in particulartype 2 diabetes, and required ongoing treatment. Mr AB’s health appeared to be better than of Mrs AB’s at the time and therefore he took responsibility for caring for his wife and their youngest child MS. It is unclear to the Local Authority if Mrs AB’s diabetes had led her to have kidney failure or if this was due to other health conditions. However, research shows that Diabetes and kidney disease has a strong connection, and in some cases it can progress to kidney failure (Patient Information: 2016). Mrs AB required ongoing haemodialysis treatment 3 times a week from 5pm to 11pm due to her kidneys failing.
Mrs AB was supplied with free transport when her treatment was initiated however this was discontinued and resulted in Mr AB transporting his wife to and from hospital for her treatments. Whilst transporting Mrs AB from hospital Mr AB informed health professionals that at times he would leave MS unattended at home without the supervision of an adult and at other times he would wake MS up, take him to hospital to pick his mother up and then put him back to sleep. MS was 7 years of age when his parents left him at home unattended and when he experienced disruption to his daily routine. When MS was 8 years of age professionals raised concerns of MS being a young carer as he would have to care for his ill parents and cook food for the family, despite MH being the appropriate adult and residing at the same property. MH was known to stay at home whilst misusing alcohol and smoking in the vicinity of MS. Therefore MS has been exposed to substance misuse from a very young age within his home environment.
Mr and Mrs AB’s eldest child MH started to misuse alcohol and cannabis to the extent that he would come to the family home intoxicated and act aggressively towards his parents on numerous occasions, whereby police have had to intervene. MS witnessed this behaviour on several occasions and at times has been caught in the crossfire, where he has been physically hurt.
In XX 2012 MH stole money from his parents in order to fulfil his need to become intoxicated. On his return MH set fire to personal belongings and when Mrs AB attempted to intervene MH took an axe to her in rage to attack her. However, Mr AB managed to disarm him. The parents did not inform the police of the incident, nevertheless they feared for their safety and fled to a friend’s home. Such incidents continued in the household whichMS has been made witness to. Parents had failed to safeguard MS from witnessing domestic violence and continued to maintain a relationship with their eldest child MH by his returning back to the house.