This case concerned a one-year-old boy, Harry, who was living with his mother, Tina, in a flat in a small town. She was living alone, effectively a single parent, while Harry’s father was living in a city with his mother. Tina was now in a new relationship.
At the time of referral to Daybreak, the social worker had been visiting the family for some time. Harry was subject to a Child Protection Plan, but the situation was deteriorating. There were concerns about Tina’s ability to properly parent her child and suspicions that drugs were being taken into, and perhaps distributed from, the home.
Police had visited the premises following a report of armed men entering the home. They had found dirty home conditions and a strong smell of cannabis. The NSPCC had also received a number of anonymous calls about possible substance misuse, and reports that Harry had been left to cry for prolonged periods of time.
Tina was known to have substance misuse issues, but was beginning to engage with the appropriate agency to address this.
At their FGC, the family were asked to address the following questions:
- Can the family create a plan to support Tina with her care of Harry?
- Can Tina be helped to make appropriate lifestyle changes, including aspects of her friendship group?
- If Tina is assessed as unable to care for Harry, is any family member willing to put themselves forward to care for him permanently?
Tina and the wider family network actively engaged in preparations for the FGC and the actual meeting, which was attended by five family members and six professionals. Together the family produced a plan that was approved. Over subsequent weeks it was implemented with a high level of support provided by various members of the maternal family.
They again participated fully four months later in the FGC Review and by this time the situation was very different. There had been an overall improvement in the home conditions and Tina’s ability to parent Harry had developed immeasurably. She was no longer engaging with the substance abuse agency as its workers felt that she no longer required their support. It was concluded that the family’s plan had been successfully implemented in the main and that it had achieved significant and positive change. The plan was updated and some small adjustments were made.
At the conclusion of the review meeting, the social worker informed the family that the child would be removed from the Child Protection Plan and placed at Child in Need (CIN).
The plan is included below. It shows the breadth of family support that was generated by the FGC process. Updates added at the FGC Review are in italics.
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Action |
By whom? |
By when? |
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1. |
Tina’s mother, Rose, will continue to regularly have Harry for overnight visits. As Tina lives in a flat, Rose will make her garden/house available during the good weather so Harry can play outside. Rose will also be there for emotional support, at the end of the phone or in person any time day or night (Rose lives 5 minutes away from Tina). Update: This action has been achieved and remains on-going. The social worker states that it is good to see Rose and Tina getting along and working so well together. |
Rose |
On-going |
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2. |
Tina’s sister, Jenny, will regularly visit Tina and Harry, spending quality time with them, ie going swimming and days out etc. Once Children’s Services approve Jenny and her partner, the couple intend to have Harry to stay on occasions to give Tina a break. When Harry is with other members of the family, Jenny and Tina will spend some quality time together. Update: Jenny does not have Harry overnight. Jenny spends time with Harry, but always when Tina is present. Jenny comes over at least once a week. Tina also spends time with Jenny to have a break. |
Jenny |
On-going |
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3. |
Tina’s brother and sister-in-law will continue to have Harry overnight occasionally and also have Tina. They will continue to visit Tina and Harry at the flat. They will also spend quality adult time with Tina when Harry is with other family members. Update: This has been fully achieved. They have Harry a lot including overnight stays and regularly see the family. |
Tina’s brother and sister-in-law
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On-going
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4. |
As a family we will meet up regularly for events such as family meals, birthdays, weddings, christenings etc. We will also spontaneously meet up to spend family time together. Update: This has been fully achieved. The maternal uncle and his girlfriend are also now very involved. Another maternal uncle will be returning from abroad soon and he will become very involved in supporting Tina and Harry. Tina’s father, Bob, is also becoming involved in supporting Tina, since the family have really pulled together to keep this plan working. |
Members of the family |
On-going
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5. |
As a family we feel that Tina has started working positively towards severing unsuitable friendships. We will continue to encourage Tina to believe that not everybody out there is a bad influence, and we will try to encourage her to make new friends. Update: This has been achieved and remains on-going. |
All family members |
On-going
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6. |
Should Tina be assessed as unable to care for Harry, Rose would be happy to take on Harry’s care if needed. Tina’s brother and sister-in-law would be more than happy to take on Harry’s care if needed. Update: This remains an option should it be required |
Rose Tina’s brother and sister-in-law |
If and when required |
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7. |
Although not fully confident as to whether she could take on full time care of Harry, Jean would be more than happy to support anyone who cares for him. Update: Jean would be content to support however she would not have overnight or unsupervised contact with Harry. |
Jean |
If and when required |
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8. |
We are all available for part-time respite care if it is ever needed. Update: Fully achieved and remains on-going. |
All involved and present |
If and when required |
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9. |
William, Tina’s partner and the father of Tina’s unborn baby, would be willing to put himself forward to care for Harry should this be required. Update: This remains an option should it be required. |
William |
If and when required |
