Taxi Driver Online

This morning we have contacted the CAB who directed us to their website. There is a lot of information on there. The first bit that is of interest is that the report from the social worker must be given to the parents "at least 2 clear working days" before the case conference. Clearly this is not going to happen. I have advised here to send an email to the social worker tomorrow afternoon stating this and demanding that the case conference is adjourned to a new date. The office where this case conference is due to take place isn't at our local offices but in offices some 20 miles away because "there is no room available" in the local office. Apparently she should have been informed of he right to consult a solicitor regarding the case and in fact I have found out this morning that it is usual practice for social services to provide a list of suitable solicitors who work on these cases. however it appears that although you can take a solicitor to these case conferences, they are not allowed to speak on your behalf, they can only take notes. Our drivers husband has also spoken to his employer this morning and he (the employer) has a friend who is a solicitor and he has agreed to take a look at the report, when it arrives, and advice them accordingly. He has also agreed to attend the case conference.
My driver has asked me to pass on her thanks and appreciation for the help and advice given by the forum members.

Also 3 stone in 3 months is a lot of weight to be lost even for an active young child, to ask it of a child with downs which would have to be based on their diet for the most part is rather unhealthy imo, as you would have to be cutting calories to almost eating nothing everyday. Most people trying to lose 3 stone in 3 months will be cutting diet and be on a exercise plan and still struggle.

The authorities should have only one concern the well being of the Child given recent betrayals in this sort of issue the pressure is very much on the Council's social services department to get it right.

Trotsk writes:


If you have ever dealt with these people, you will know that their first concern is protecting their own ass and then it's a box ticking exercise and following the correct procedures. Working with the parent to help the child is the last thing on their mind.

You might think, surely not, the child must come first but you would be wrong.

Oh and trust me on this, all they are doing at the moment is building a case against Grandads driver.

Yes, the rights of the child must be taken into account but don't imagine for one minute, these people are all racked by a guilty conscience and tripping over themselves to do the right thing.

Gandad ...did she get the report..

Oh yes, and she is not a happy bunny. I haven't read it myself but she has told me some of the contents. i wont go in to details of some of the contents because they are very personal but one of the concerns was regarding the lads personal hygiene. The report states something along the lines that because of his weight, mum is struggling to wash him properly so she is sending him to school smelly. Mum says that this is total rubbish because they have a walk in wet room and he has a shower every morning. However, due to his downs, he is sometimes incontinent and he can soil his clothes after leaving home and getting to school. he goes to a child minder before being picked up by taxi (not one of ours) to go to school. He always takes a spare set of cloths and if there is a problem, mum goes straight round to the school and deals with it. I know this is done because I have to get cover for any work she has to miss.
The report states that the social worker wants the lad putting on the register due to neglect by the parents.
In fact both parents dote on the lad.
The way the report has been explained to me is that this social worker is looking to have the child put into care, but that is just my opinion.

I take it you will be providing her with a statement to this....now..

I haven't had a chance to speak to her yet to see what the solicitor advised but obviously I will help her in any way that I can. I can even provide detailed information of when she has had to go to the school because of the trackers in our vehicles.


Good man...