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Accessing childrens files and information
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Dimples
August 2, 2009 15:48
Hello allAs part of my one woman mission to save the world (well it feels like that anyway) because of impending legal doo daas we have taken the step of requesting files of the children under the freedom of information act 2000.Under this act you no longer have to go up to see the files you can get copies of all the information held. They have to respond in 20 days.Each council should have an office to look after these requests solely now.The LA in our case says there is not normally a charge but there is in larger cases. I have no idea what this charge will be in our case.But there are specifics of reports that we have requested and wonder if this list may be of use to fellow adopters.We are formally requesting all handwritten and/or computerised data on our adopted children''s family involvement with social services whose birth names were- XXXX DOB XXXX and XXXX DOB XXXX.This should include files when the family first came to social services notice, Looked After Child Files and Adoption Files.copies of recordscourt reports (interim care orders, full care order and feeing order reports)emails, faxes and letters.Contact logsFamily centre reportsDaily logs or "running sheets"risks/ safe guarding factors assessments,internal memos and copies of telephone messages.Minutes and notes from multi agency meetings, submissions from police, housing, education, health and other bodies involved with the case. Child protection core group meeting records CP related strategy meetingsSocial Workers assessments on ability to parent.reports relating to decisions of permanence planning "best interest" decision paperwork relating to the children. Specific event logs reports by neighbours and other involved parties. Sibling assessments, mental health reports placement decision justification reports.This is very different to the level of information contained in the CPRs. I have taken the list from various posts from other board users in the past.There are so many unanswered questions that we are hopeful for some answers.HTH Anything else others can add that might be helpful please do.Dimples
tinker
August 2, 2009 22:21
Fantastic list Dimples!who do we request these files from?We have requested our children's files several times from pasw. We have been offered lots of excuses but no files
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Pear Tree
October 11, 2009 15:18
BUmping for people like me who are still trying...
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rsm
October 13, 2009 09:51
I'm going for second attempt at getting records just found this and thought it could be useful.http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/detailed_specialist_guides/sars_social_services_v1.0_260808.pdf
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Stickyjs
November 23, 2009 10:31
Here's another from the ICO website about how to request information and what you can expect, including timescales, how to complain, and even how to take it to court.http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/introductory/subject_access_rights.pdf
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Lonsdale
November 23, 2009 13:15
I've cut & pasted together a sample letter to email/e2rmail to las, using PTs info Your full addressThe dateDear (name of person who deals with freedom of information/data protection)(Your full name and address and any other details to helpidentify you, your child/children and the information you want.)Please supply the information about my child/children that I am entitled to underthe Data Protection Act 1998 relating to:files from when the family first came to social services notice, Looked After Child Files and Adoption Files.copies of recordscourt reports (interim care orders, full care order and feeing order reports)emails, faxes and letters.Contact logsFamily centre reportsDaily logs or "running sheets"risks/ safe guarding factors assessments,internal memos and copies of telephone messages.Minutes and notes from multi agency meetings, submissions from police, housing, education, health and other bodies involved with the case. Child protection core group meeting records CP related strategy meetingsSocial Workers assessments on ability to parent.reports relating to decisions of permanence planning "best interest" decision paperwork relating to the children. Specific event logs reports by neighbours and other involved parties. Sibling assessments, health reports contact/letterbox requirements * placement decision justification reports.(Please would you also tell me the logicinvolved in any automated decisions you have made aboutmy child/children.)If you need any more information from me, or a fee, please letme know as soon as possible.Yours faithfullySignaturehope it might helpl
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Fluffy Cat
November 26, 2009 14:30
Bumping for Starlight
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Darcy
November 26, 2009 15:28
We requested our childrens files and where told that we could not have access to them Miss D did get her file when she was 18. However we believe that much was still "missing" from documents. We used The Data Protection Act 1998.Hope to hear some positive news from those of you who are putting in requests.Love Darcy xx
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Darcy
November 26, 2009 15:29
Sorry forgot to add we also used a Solicitor.Love Darcy xx
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Mumstheword
December 7, 2009 16:36
Do you know if info gathered in this connection prior to 1998 (Data Protection Act) in the case of a child placed long before this would be available? We have always had plenty info on DD and have shared with her accordingly including her later in life letter, but as she grows up and hopes for a bit more as time goes on, I wonder if it is worth us approaching her placing LA for all the ones suggested above if they are available?If you have received them, would they be meaningful to a teenage adoptee, or were they more for your own information?Thanksmtw
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Pear Tree
January 29, 2010 16:51
bumping this thread for cocochanelMTW- yes the data protection/ freedom for information covers ALL information held about you or the person you legally represent.I think the more information you can get the more full a picture you can give a child about THEIR story the better.obviously in an age appropriate way.Pear tree
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Lettice
February 26, 2010 12:47
Bumping for Strawberry.An alternative way that worked for us was for my (exceptionally good) pasw to travel to the placing LA and search through the whole file herself. As a sw she had access to sections that no one else knew about. She also provided good support in passing on some shocking and difficult information that came to light.
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Pear Tree
April 26, 2010 11:13
just to let you know that since official application in August last yr, and many yrs of verbal requests prior to this we still do not have access to the files.
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Lettice
June 2, 2011 12:36
Bumping for Carolyn.
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aprilshowers
June 2, 2011 13:08
To add to this, just spoken to our la, if the children are over 12 you will have to have their permission for access to records prior to adoption.june
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Pear Tree
September 2, 2011 07:50
Bump please use for applying for files.After all these years ours have come
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Pear Tree
September 2, 2011 07:55
Re june's comment- both my ac are over 12. Partridge was able to give written consent. A letter from blossoms therapist about her need for file information through her legal parent and having given her limited capacity for consent within a supported session.
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Donatella
October 6, 2011 20:07
Bump for Gothmum
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Pear Tree
January 13, 2012 10:17
Bump
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pigpaw
March 3, 2012 08:12
Question; has anyone tried to get files prior to AO being made? As it stands I do not 'legally represent' my child, but I requested the information as soon as I was linked as the CPR was of such poor quality and there are a number of things appertaining to sibling decision making that are VERY relavant for my LO.Should I go ahead with AO and then apply under FOI? Or should I hold out and say I am not going through with application until I recieve information I am requesting?Thanks
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