Eight Children taken into care.

*
http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/children-taken-care/article-714504-detail/article.htm

Friday, February 20, 2009, 09:47

EIGHT children and a woman were taken into the care of social workers by police wearing riot gear because of growing concern for their welfare. Twenty police officers in body armour and carrying Taser guns were called out to the house in Torquay shortly before lunchtime yesterday.They were joined by 10 social services officers from

Torbay Council who took the children, aged 15 and under into care, along with a woman.One man was also taken to Torquay police station where he is understood to be helping officers with their inquiries.Sgt Jacqui Rees, who led the joint social service and police operation, said: "The eight children and the woman are now under the care of the social services.
"The man is helping us with our inquiry."We had this joint operation with the social services because of concerns for the welfare of the children and the woman."It is understood some of the children may not have been attending school.

Sgt Rees said the officers attended the address while wearing body armour and carrying Tasers because of fears friends of the man in the neighbourhood may oppose the removal of the children and cause trouble. She added: "There were concerns for the safety of our officers."Police officers later took off their riot gear at the request of the social services because 'it might scare the children'. A police spokesman confirmed the operation was at the request of Torbay Council's social services. Sgt Steve Blair, head of the child protection team with Torbay police, added it was a sensitive operation and police were only there 'to add the weight of the law and make it happen'. He added: "We were asked to assist the social services in obtaining their objectives which was to ensure that these children were removed to a safe place, which is where they remain."

Torbay Council's people commissioner Carol Tozer or is it (Taser) said: "Torbay Council considers the safety of children as our paramount concern."We continue to work very hard to protect vulnerable children in the area and liaise closely with the police and other partners to ensure their safety."

4th March Demo Info.

*

Grandparents Apart UK

A peaceful Demonstration against Social Services
Child Adoption and Family policies

*
Wednesday 4th March 11.am
At
George Square Glasgow.

*

Who is invited?
Grandparents, Mothers, Fathers, Step-parents, Uncles, Aunts.In fact everyone who cares about children is welcome.

*

Reason:- To protest against the adoption, parenting, andgrandparent policies of our "out of touch Social Servicesdepartments" who now appear to be wholly incompetent andacting as a law unto themselves, with complete disregard forthe children's "Best Interests" (article 8 of the Human rights actand the UN convention for the rights of the Child)?

These policies are causing untold distress to children andfamilies. The proof being the recent outrage, regardinggrandparents who were by-passed for the adoption of theirgrandchildren We demand policies to be more in line withchildren's welfare and not to be treated as commodities to bedisposed of as in a business plan.

We call on everyone who cares for children's welfare todemonstrate your disapproval of these policies and also towrite to your MSPs, MPs in protest stating that you support ourprotest.
For full details follow this link for further information.


Grandparents Apart UK is a Scottish Registered Charity. No SC 031558 Staffed by volunteers. Registered at 22 AIness Crescent Glasgow G52 1 PJ

Thanks to Lisa Cohen from Jump

Birmingham and Black Country CAFCASS rated as inadequate by Ofsted
http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed32727

Ofsted report into Birmingham and Black Country CAFCASS services published
Oftsed has published it s latest area report on CAFCASS services for Birmingham and the Black Country.
Overall the service has been given a Grade 4 inadequate rating with inconsistencies found in assessment, case planning and recording and some unacceptable delays. In particular the report noted that in the Black Country area there is a problem with allocation of private law cases with waiting times of up to 20 weeks.
CAFCASS Chief Executive, Anthony Douglas responded by concentrating on the report’s acknowledgements of the progress being made at a national level
“I am pleased that the intensive improvements we are making to our services in Birmingham and the Black Country have been acknowledged. It will take eighteen months more to improve consistently across the country as we are changing fundamental working practices and that takes time."

The full text of the Ofsted report is available on their website, (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Cafcass/Cafcass-Birmingham-and-the-Black-Country-service-area/(language)/eng-GB)


MPs, agony aunts and journalists to meet over family justice system
http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed32732
Campaigining MPs to highlight continued concerns over family justice system
A group of MPs, led by John Hemming, has organised a meeting at the House of Commons with a group of journalists and media agony aunts to discuss the care system and family courts. Those involved include Camilla Cavendish of The Times, Sue Reid of the Daily Mail, Kate Hilpern who works for the Guardian and Independent and Denise Roberston, Agony Aunt on This Morning. They will be discussing a series of proposals including
Allowing social workers more time to see children and families and less time in front of computers
Continue progress towards transparency in the family courts
Allowing parents to have a second opinion
Providing public support for appeals and contesting care orders
Providing some public support for Mackenzie Friends
Expert evidence should only come from regulated professionals
All hearings should have anonymous judgments
Clayton v Clayton should not be reversed
Serious Case Review chairs should be independent and appointed independently
National guidance is needed to define what "risk of significant harm" means
The meeting will take place on 25 February 2009.


LSC announces training help for mediation suppliers
http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed32721
£100,000 in grants for mediation training announced by LSC
The Legal Services Commission has announced that 14 mediation providers have been awarded grants to assist them train more mediators. The grants total £100,000, funds which the LSC hopes will
"support a trainee mediator and the organisation through both the Family Mediation Foundation Training Programme and the Competence Assessment Portfolio, in order for them to qualify to undertake publicly funded family mediation."
The recipients of the awards are:
Oxfordshire Family Mediation
Family Mediation Worcestershire
Mediation Herefordshire
Surrey Family Mediation Service
Focus Family Mediation Ltd
West Yorkshire Family Mediation Service
South Essex Family Mediation Service
Coventry and Warwickshire Family Mediation
Laceys Mediation
Family Mediation Cardiff
Fosters Mediation
Birmingham District Family Mediation
North East London Family Mediation Service
West Wales Mediation Service


More on this and the scheme in general can be found on the LSC website.
Moj / LSC formal response on graduated fees to be published this week
http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed32722
Full details of the changes to graduated fees to be published
It has been announced that the formal response to the consultation on Reforming the Legal Aid Family Barrister Fee Scheme will be published later this week by the MoJ and LSC.
The announcement follows a written ministerial by Lord Bach on 12 February outlining the main thrust of the likely changes. The formal response “reiterates and details” that statement. The LSC has also stated that
"Guidance and details on the specific remuneration changes will be provided in an ‘easy-to-read’ format on our website just prior to their implementation in June.”

Radio Scotland joins the demo.

Dear All

A great opperchancity for you to get your oar in and vent your anger about your situation. Come on guys go for it.
Jimmy


Hi there Jimmy,
It was indeed a pleasure to speak with you on the phone yesterday and as promised, here is a little more information about our programme.
Give Me A Voice is a 30 minute pre recorded programme that gives ordinary people living in the communities of Scotland the opportunity to give voice to an issue or campaign that they feel strongly about. We would be very interested in making a programme with you and other members of your group to help raise the awareness of grand parents rights.
It would be our intentions to join you in George Square on the 4th March and to interview yourself after the demonstration as well as some other grandparents.
I would be most appreciative if you were able to put me in touch with other grandparents who have either had the experience of being by passed by social services, resulting in their grandchildren being passed onto either other family members or complete strangers and also perhaps some grandparents who still have unresolved issues in gaining access to their grandchildren.
I fully understand that this can be a very sensitive area for some grandparents but for the purposes of the programme, we can change their names and not reveal any identifying features about where they live or where their grandchildren are.
I am working to a tight deadline for this programme so it would be great if we were able to establish contact with other grandparents within the next couple of days.

Kind regards

Phil

Crossed wires

I think I know what has happened here.One of the forced adoption /secret family courts mums is organising another protest - nothing to do with your protest at all - and I think wires have crossed somehow. I am sure this mother would be mortified if she accidentally sabotaged your protest - I've spoken to her on the MFJ site, and she is a genuine campaigner, I'm sure. I am sure she is 100% behind what you grandparents are doing, as most of the other mothers are (I would say all, but we are having mole problems, I guess you have those as well) Anyway, I thought I'd better mail you about this. I can't come to Glasgow, I would love to come and support you people - but I will be fasting and praying for you, for sure. We are all fighting the same cause as far as I'm concerned - these corrupt child services are wrecking families and putting children into danger.

God bless,
Zoompad

Letter to The President of the USA

Dear Mr President,

Grandparents are considered to be very important in their grandchildren’s lives but they have no legal standing in their lives through-out the world.
We have campaigned for eight years for legal rights of contact for grandparents but all governments refuse to grant individual legal rights to grandparents. As our children are losing out on the benefits and protection grandparents can offer because of their irrelevant status in the eyes of governments we have revised our policy.

Our group Grandparents Apart UK has worked with the Scottish Government to produce ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’.. It is an excellent document for children but it was only deemed advisory and is proving very difficult for professionals to abide by it. To do right by the children it would need to be mandatory for professionals that deal with children’s welfare.
Grandparents have a unique insight into their own families good and bad points and can detect signs of change like child abuse a mile off, but as the law stands grandparents are so easily banned from families in an effort to hide their shortcomings that children are being neglected and abused and the law is protecting the abuser.

This does not arise in normal families the question of grandparents losing contact never comes up in normal families with nothing to hide. Even if they do fall out the children do not suffer or get used as weapons for blackmail etc. We are talking about the millions of children caught up in drug and alcohol homes with no-one to turn too. Their grandparents would be a blessing to these children if the were only allowed to know about their welfare and professionals were encouraged more to recognise them for caring and keeping them in a home environment..

As of lately the British Social Services have been devastatingly incompetent in dealing with children as been displayed all over the media. We need a strong family man to exert some influence to bring an end to this madness.

Please read The Charter for Grandparents and if you think it can save children from neglect or abuse help us to put sense into our UK governments.

Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk/

Foster carers in danger of HIV from children

Foster carers not told if babies are HIV positive 'to protect the child's human rights'
By Emily AndrewsLast updated at 11:01 PM on 22nd February 2009
Tricia McDaid: Was told she would have to lie if the parents asked what the drugs were for
Foster carers have been put at risk by not being told that the babies they are looking after could be HIV positive.
Social workers decided that the human rights of a mother wanting to keep her child's status confidential were more important than protecting foster parents, it is claimed.
In one case a foster mother, with three young children of her own, was given a new-born baby to look after and not told that he could have HIV.
This exposed her, her husband and their children to risk of infection.
Baby J was born last November to a mother known to be HIV positive.
During his birth doctors and nurses wore masks, goggles, boots, protective clothing and double sets of gloves to cut the risk of infection.
His elder brother had already been taken into care, and social services did the same for Baby J when he was a few days old.
Midwife Tricia McDaid, who questioned social workers about the practice when she became aware of the case in Newham, East London, said: 'This is appalling. Both the babies, the foster carers and their families were put at risk as they were not told.
'The foster parents were asked to administer anti-viral drugs to combat the baby developing HIV but were not told what they were.'
Mrs McDaid, 47, says that when she raised the issue with social services she was then moved from her job as a midwife in the community.
Although it is highly likely that babies who are born to HIV positive mothers will also be infected, it is not possible to know for sure until they are 18 months old.
So as soon as he was born Baby J was given daily anti-viral drugs to boost his immunity.
But crucially the foster family with whom he was placed were not told they were at risk of catching HIV. One of the three children was just two years old.
Mrs McDaid said: 'Newham takes the view that the foster parents don't need to know.
'This happens all the time and it's putting foster carers and their children at terrible risk.
'I was also told by the head of child protection at Newham Hospital that if the foster parents asked me what the drugs were for I would have to lie.
'In my opinion that is breaking the law and breaking the midwife and nursing code of conduct. It also puts the baby at risk as anyone administering drugs to a young baby needs to know exactly what they are and what dosage it should be.
'When I raised difficult questions with the council they ostracised me and tried to freeze me out as they didn't want this getting out.'
Mrs McDaid believes that the council is using Article Eight of the European Convention on Human Rights - the right to respect for one's private and family life - to protect the mother and child.
She said: 'Putting the human right of the mother's confidentiality about her HIV status above the right of the foster carers to know is wrong.
'It's playing Russian roulette with people's lives.'
A Newham council spokesman said: 'Foster carers would normally be expected to be provided with full information, but we admit that this did not happen in this instance.
'The circumstances in this case are complex and we acknowledge
that it could have been handled differently.
'Our procedures and protocols are now subject to revision.
'We are launching an investigation and we do not know if any other cases have occurred.
'The pan-London child protection procedures, which we are signed up to, contain guidelines that are primarily aimed at protecting children and ensuring children and their parents who may be HIV positive are not discriminated against.'

Letter from a very frustrated guy

Whats happening in this world?.. When will people wake up ? We have Bankers stealing money all over the world, we have Politicians thats supposed to serve the people, We have peace officers thats become enforcement officers to collect more money for bankers, using stun guns on people CCTV cameras everywhere, listening and tracking devices in our computors , phones, and soon to be televisions or digital boxes,and cars, We have Corporations patenting our DNA and every plant, fruit and vegetables plus minerals, We have people in the middle east being killed by bombs, we have Moslims blaming jews, In the uk council officials tell us take down crosses and crucifixes, inferring it might offend moslims, Christains falling for this tactical manouvre, Once the middle east is bombed into submission or seriously depopulated, Christains and Jews will probably be next, So that these New agers, or world bank government, New World order shills thats patented everything on this planet is going to force us to eat Genetically modified crops that they own and have patents on, as well as banning people from growing herbs, or vegatables, and declaring minerals and vitamins and co2 toxins. Poltically correct groups shouting safe the earth, dont teach your children about morality, and Non Scientists telling us we are in danger due to global warming, and tax threats on animal farts,, This situation seriously needs fixed before the whole worlds in hock to these banksters. Martin

Good work Maggie Tuttle.

Maggie Tuttle
6 Poynings Avenue
Southend on Sea
Essex SS 2 4RT

21/02/2009
Tele 07767710756

To
David Cameron
Leader of the Opposition
House of Commons
London SW 1A OAA

Dear Mr Cameron.

Re Grandparents Rights.

Whilst I thank you for your letter of the 12 December 2008, grandparent’s rights as far as I can see, will never get any recognition via the law or the courts, it is all down to money, and our grandkids in many cases, as you may have seen in the press as of late, continue to be set apart from family and grandparents, I know you as an MP are fighting a losing battle on our behalf, and although there seems to be some press coverage for grandparents, it is still a no go, and always will be. I sympathise with you and thank you for any help you have tried for grandparents in the commons, but as I say, even you will not get a change in the Law.
In the UK Mothers/Fathers day, and many other days are set aside every year to remember the occasions for what ever,

Can I please ask you to help one more time, in the fact of asking in the Commons on behalf of the grandparents that a law could be passed to have?
A grandparent’s day every year? I am sure you could do this; if nothing else it would generate finances as other days of remembrance does.
Mr Cameron you know you’re self, how important most grandparents are, we help with our grandkids/finance/free child care/clothing/schooling/accommodation/tuition and much more, most of all we give love/support and care, all free.
We deserve one day of recognition, not that grandparents are asking for this, it is me asking you, on behalf of millions of grandparents, please just help us to get a day, every year acknowledged; it just may help one day to give us some rights.
And please do not send the norm of, thank you for your letter, do some thing.
Please see enclosed leaflet re Grandparents Apart UK protest 4th March Glasgow 2009 being held at George Square Glasgow.11.am. Their proposal http://grandparentsapartuk.blogspot.com/ for the role grandparents can play will not override ay rights for parents and will ensure the children can get the best grandparents can give.

Yours Sincerely

Update:

My oldest boy has just phoned me from his mothers house.
Last communication was mid Dec.
They want to see me and come at weekends again.

I chose not to go down the court route.
Court action would have taken a lot longer than 8 weeks to advance, it would have also upped the anti and lead to more frustration and loss of earnings.

I say to you all, if court action was a guarantee of success then it would have been a first option. Unfortunately we are at the mercy of a system that is broken.
I applaude anyone that has actually achieved the goal of continuing to be the same parent for their children with no conditions attached post separation.

Kornelius

Children who died when SS was involved

The death of Baby P appalled the nation. But after a six-month investigation, Live reveals an even greater tragedy: the devastating hidden toll of young children who died in the care of their families despite social services being alerted.
To complete this, the first-ever study of all 150 child-protection authorities in England, we used Freedom of Information rights to demand files in the face of cover-up tactics by agencies all the way up to Children's Secretary Ed Balls.
On the eve of yet another review into child protection, Live publishes the full damning portrait of a nation incapable of protecting its most vulnerable members


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1142243/The-228-child-deaths-didnt-want-tell-about.html#

By DAVID ROSE Research by GEORGE ARBUTHNOTT

Pregnant Mother Driven To Suicide By Social Services

Pregnant Mother Driven To Suicide By Social Services
By Teresa | 17th Feb 2009 | in Forced Adoption Stories

The tragic story of a desperate mother who’s two children were put up for adoption by social services in East London brought about a tragic end to her young life as pregnant mother Angela Franklin 30 was found dead by police. Angela in need of support after the forced removal of her two children was instead bullied by the system leaving her in despair in what Angela described in writing “ i lost all my children due to lies being told in court by social services” just before her suicide

In Angela’s own written words just over a week before she takes her life and that of her unborn child we see the desperation of a mother who is lost and despite friends she made on the social networking site facebook who done thier best to support her she couldn’t bare to let social services take another one of her beloved children.

03 February 2009 at 05:05

“i felt suicidal after a bad relationship but after a while i got over him and i was able to move on. i now have someone who i love but still my life is not happy. i lost all my children due to lies being told in court by social services. i cant see or speak to my children.
this is one thing that i would not get over. my children meant the world to me and still do.

i have somehow detached myself from the man i love. the children look like him and they are everything like him. everytime i am with hime i get upset.

i dont know where to turn or who to turn to now.

i feel lost.
i am pregnant again and i dont want to live.
some may think i am being selfish because i should be thinking about he baby inside of me. but social services want to take this baby too and i would rather die.

i just dont know what to do. i want out
the sooner the better”

The sad truth is Angela Franklin took her own life as she couldn’t live her life without her children and she knew she was never going to see them again and she also knew that if she continued with the baby she desperatly wanted growing inside, her only hope to cling onto life would disapear as Social Workers would rip the baby she loved from her at birth. A social worker tipped her over the edge when Angela was informed by a social worker of their intentions shortly before her suicide.

Seeing no way out Angela gave up her fight with Social Services and the Court who let her, her unborn child and two young children down.

Angela done the only thing she felt she could to stay with her baby and that was to take her baby with her.

Mothers, Fathers, Grand-Parents, Aunts and Uncles face long lengthy battles with social workers who target them and remove their children based on false accusations and problems that do not render childen at risk but in need of family support so why do these families not get the support they need? The system has failed thousands of families as organisations and self help groups struggle to cope with the growing numbers of parents facing the systems failures.

Social Workers may well take the attitude of “oh well she must of been depressed so we done the right thing removing her children” but it is in fact the system that drives mothers and families to this despair in the first place.

Families are pushed to the extremes as they battle it out with Social Services in a desperate fight for their children as social workers misuse every thing in their power to leave parents mentally and phisically exausted and poweless as they say their last goodbyes to their children.

Parents are slowly worn down over the coming months and years as social workers get more and more funding and the more the parents fight for their children the more resources the social workers get with the never ending pot of tax payers money they misuse to pay for those resources. The resources on Social Services side do well out of it because they make millions.

Whilst all this is going on the children in danger and at serious risk are being slowly pushed aside and end up dead whilst Social Workers continue their onslaught to innocent families who not only don’t have the resources of which to fight the social workers on the same level but also don’t have the same support at hand to fight their corner. Whilst the families are being dragged through the onslaught of social workers they are being effected emotionally, phisically and mentally by the negativity, the lies social workers tell, the inaccuracies by professionals, having to fill out endless forms themselves, learn the law as they go along and the constant rejection by Judges who dont always bother reading the parents side or find it easier and quicker to go along with social workers. Are courts now so over loaded with cases that they just want to rush them through so they can get on with the next one and then get home in time for tea?

When Social Workers get it wrong there is nowhere to complain and there are no professionals that can give decent second opinions because the families are not only denied a second medical or psychaitric opinion by the courts but many of those professionals are financially thriving by acting on the sides of the social services. There are no resources for the families dragged through the system nor the support they need.

Social workers demand psychiatric evaluations of parents who have been fighting for months for their children and the psychiatrists brand mothers with BPD or mental health problems if they dare as to fight for their children or show signs of distress. How can any parent be fairly evaluated after social workers have staged a mass onslaught to these families using the most horredous and bullying tactics possible in order to break the parents before they are even evaluated?

After years of fighting for the rights of children in care to be given a voice if they are suffering abuse and to expose it, and just as families have fought to speak openly about the injustices they have faced, the public got excited when the anouncement arrived that the Family courts are to opened in April and with it came the false sense of security.

And just as no2abuse suspected as stated in a previous article, whats the catch?

Well that catch or should I say blow came when Jack Straw announced that as from April at the same time the courts are supposed to be opened in order to allow the media to report on the injustices to families and children he is not only reversing a previous decision but also ensures that families facing injustices and children in care will not be allowed to openly expose their abuse anywhere if they identify themselves. They are not allowed to be named and they are not allowed to tell anyone who they are publicly.

Jack Straw has done this to protect soclal workers and professionals who fail families like Angela Franklin and he has not done it to protect any child or family. His decision will see more and more families ruined by injustices and we will see more children abused in care and more children will die. Its inevitable because that’s what secrecy does. It ruins lives. Many survivors of abuse lived in fear of their abusers and now they are finally speaking up about the abuse they suffered Jack Straw has decided to gag them as well so the abusers can carry on with the security of secrecy.

Thankyou to those who provided information to make this story possible and to give Angela the voice that was taken away from her by the system failures

Latter from Scot Gov about The Charter for Grandchildren.

Scottish Government.
Children, Young People and Social Care Directorate
Safer Children, Stronger Families Division

Mr Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 AIness Crescent
Glasgow G52 1 PJ

Your ref:
Our ref: 2009/00032030R
February 2009

Mr Deuchars
Thank you for your email of 13 January relating to the Charter for Grandchildren. I am replying as a member of the child protection policy team.
Scottish Ministers are very aware of the important role that grandparents can play in
development of young people. It is very important that children are given the right support, and where necessary, protection if we are to ensure their development into confident individuals and effective contributors in our society. We see grandparents, can play a critical role in this regard.

It is important that anyone who has concern about a child's wellbeing should ensure that such concerns are reported. Of course, friends and family members can often be best placed to identify at an early stage those instances where a child may be placed at risk. A
dedicated 24 hour child protection line has been set up in order to ensure that individuals can access appropriate services quickly where they are concerned about a child's wellbeing.
The number is 0800 022 3222. Further information about the telephone line can be found on the Scottish Government's website at www.scotland.cjov.uk/childprotection
In regards to the Charter for Grandchildren that was set up in conjunction with Grandparents Apart and other stakeholders, as part of a suite of guidance. It still remains the responsibility of the local authorities to put in place child protection procedures. Local authorities have a statutory duty to protect children in there area, but under the Concordat it is for them to determine how best to do this.
I hope this information is helpful.

Yours sincerely

Chris Bain

Child Protection Policy Team

Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ
www.scotland.gov.uk

Every email and call will be stored under new law

By James Slack

Phone and internet firms will be forced to store for a year records of any call, email or website visit in the UK, under a law quietly introduced last night.

Taxpayers will pay £46.58million so that police, the security services, health authorities and even town halls will have the right to access their 'communications' records.

The cash is to compensate companies for the cost of storing records on around a billion pieces of information every day and the expense of supplying this information to all bodies covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Under a new law, police, the security services, health authorities and even town halls will have the right to access people's phone call and email records

The powers, tabled as a draft order at the end of the Commons session last night will come into force in April.

They centre on an EU directive passed in the aftermath of the July 7 terror attacks on London in 2005.

Although the powers are notionally intended to protect national security, they cover the most minor crimes.

The police can even look at phone records to locate someone who tells a friend he plans to harm himself.

Communications firms currently have largely voluntary arrangements with the Government to supply data for investigations and some have said they are unwilling to help.

But the law change will make it compulsory-for them, if requested, to hand over communications records for the past 12 months.

Phil Booth of the NO2ID campaign accused the Government of yet again using terrorism as an excuse to extend public bodies' snooping powers.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: 'It is the Government's priority to protect public safety and national security. That is why we are completing the implementation of this directive, which will bring the UK in line with our European counterparts.

'Communications data is the what, where and when of the communication and plays a vital part in a wide range of criminal investigations, and prevention of terrorists attacks as well as contributing to public safety more generally.'

Edinburgh Adoption Case.

Thank you for your e-mail following the media coverage of the City of Edinburgh Council adoption case. Your comments are acknowledged and noted.

You will appreciate that the Council cannot comment or provide any information relating to individual people to whom it provides a service, however, a public statement regarding this case has been released by Councillor Marilyne Maclaren, the convenor of the Council’s Education, Children and Families Committee and Gillian Tee, the Director of Education, Children and Families. A copy of this statement is enclosed for your information.

Media coverage of adoption case
Statement from Cllr Marilyne Maclaren, Convenor of Education, Children and Families and Gillian Tee, Director of Education, Children and Families

It is a tragedy for all children in need of care, and prospective adopters or foster carers, that there has been so much reporting and comment without the full facts being known. As with all cases involving vulnerable children, their interests are best protected by their circumstances remaining confidential. This is the very reason why their identity is protected and that generally, there is a principle of confidentiality covering the proceedings of - for example - family courts.

We only ever intervene in the lives of children where this is necessary to safeguard and promote their welfare. Our first commitment to children is to promote their upbringing in their own family. Where this isn't possible, we first explore the child's extended family and social contacts to secure a permanent placement for them. Whenever appropriate, we support extended family or friends to legally acquire and fulfil the same responsibilities as those of birth families.

Placement decisions are based on their ability and willingness to care for the child or children, not arbitrary factors such as age, disability, religion, gender or sexuality. Where we need to look out with extended family and friends, we aim to identify a number of suitable families from which to secure the best possible match. However, there is always a shortage of people able and willing to provide care, whether through adoption or fostering.

In all cases, approving people as adopters and matching them with children is a very rigorous process. At both stages a panel of experts is involved and typically includes social workers, health care professionals, a child care solicitor and representatives of children's charities. A thorough assessment and extensive checks are also carried out on all prospective adoptive parents. This is what is expected of us, and rightly so.

Equally, the care of children has never been more regulated or under such close scrutiny. Not only is there national legislation which covers our duties and responsibilities, but we have well-established policies which we stand by. The courts, which have been involved in this particular case, provide robust support for the actions taken. The inspection of councils by independent bodies, coupled with due legal processes, provide the checks and balances necessary to ensure authorities like ours provide effective care for children. Where there are lessons to be learned, we apply those to our approach to child care. However, we would not introduce prejudice based on sexual orientation any more than we would on age.

The policies, procedures and people involved in making the decisions about the care of children are carefully monitored and regulated. There is very robust accountability built into the process. We have confidence in our staff and are proud of the work they do in often very difficult circumstances. The problems with recruiting social workers in particular should make it very clear what a challenging role it is.

While it may be convenient to reveal the particular circumstances of this case, it would breach an important principle and our statutory obligations, both of which are crucial to the well-being and security of vulnerable children. All we can say is that the professional view is that the adoptive couple will provide a safe, secure and loving environment for these children. They have obviously already satisfied the rigorous standards expected of potential adopters.

The family circumstances are complex, as is often the case, but we have involved them throughout the process. These are always difficult decisions but we are confident that we have made the right decision and have no reason to doubt that the staff involved have acted with anything other than professionalism and sensitivity.

The Council Leader is entirely supportive of the views expressed here.

Vital information for the demo.

Grandparents Apart UK
Change of day for
A peaceful Demonstration against Social Services Child Adoption and Family policies

Wednesday 4th March 11.am
At
George Square Glasgow.

Who is invited

Grandparents, Mothers, Fathers, Step-parents, Uncles, Aunts.
In fact everyone who cares about children is welcome.
Reason:- To protest against the adoption, parenting, and
grandparent policies of our "out of touch Social Services
departments" who now appear to be wholly incompetent and
acting as a law unto themselves, with complete disregard for
the children's "Best Interests" (article 8 of the Human rights act
and the UN convention for the rights of the Child)?
These policies are causing untold distress to children and
families. The proof being the recent outrage, regarding
grandparents who were by-passed for the adoption of their
grandchildren We demand policies to be more in line with
children's welfare and not to be treated as commodities to be
disposed of as in a business plan.
We call on everyone who cares for children's welfare to
demonstrate your disapproval of these policies and also to
write to your MSPs, MPs in protest stating that you support our
protest.
For full details follow this link for further information.
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8202719938314583126&postID=6702567157634066668

Grandparents Apart UK is a Scottish Registered Charity. No SC 031558 Staffed by volunteers. Registered at 22 AIness Crescent Glasgow G52 1 PJ

Important points we are demonstrating against.

Social Services adoption policies are causing great distress to children and families.
Taking children into care by-passing the extended family and adopting them without consent to strangers. See what we are demonstrating against. http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=594

Adoption of a wee girl to two strange men when she had a fear of men.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1130066/They-say-old-care-grandchildren-Social-workers-hand-siblings-gay-men-adoption.html

Grandparents Apart UK have worked with the Scottish Executive via a stakeholders group in the creation of ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ (this qualifies us to present a proposal) See proposal http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=594

The group has toured the greater part of Scotland with their Mobile Information Centre to highlight the charter and parenting agreement and raised some hopes but they were dashed when the professionals SS courts lawyers etc. stated “it is only advisory and we don’t need to acknowledge it” See Tour of Scotland. http://www.grandparentsapart.co.ukhttp://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk

The government states that it is best for children to have two parents. In practise the law appears to be fatally flawed allowing children to be used as weapons and blackmail.
http://www.parents4protest.co.uk/

The government stated, to give individual grandparents legal rights of contact would cause more problems that it would resolve and by giving rights to grandparents they would then have more rights than fathers. Further they want families to resolve problems by themselves and not by legislation.

This new proposal has been made by listening to the government and working to their wishes,. The new proposal does not ask for individual legal rights but for The Charter for Grandchildren to be mandatory for professionals who deal with children in their best interest and giving them the full benefits of their grandparents help and protection but not impinging on parental rights in any way. By doing this the government would be sending a signal of encouragement to families that it is in the best interests of their children to resolve family issues by using mediation.

At present the government is not using every means possible in the protection of children and by not using the majority of grandparents that are willing to help, if the were allowed especially for early detection of abuse is criminal and is not in a child’s best interest.
Social Services by-pass grandparents and take a child into care. Alienate it from their family, usually telling them their family does not want to see them again. Then adopt them without consent from anyone.

A beautiful business plan for commodities, but children and families are not commodities, they are human beings and need to be treated with love, respect and kindness for them to grow into decent citizen’s men and women and be an asset to society.

Children who are separated from their entire extended family lose all stability and identity and are very often low achievers in society and end up turning to gangs as a substitute for family comfort to find the stability that was torn from them by incredible decisions made by Social Workers. They can become the thugs of tomorrow or worse yet suffer years of state sponsored abuse. They lose all respect for anybody. Possibly the reason older people and women are afraid to go out at night.

The Government of this country knows full well the feelings of the general public but choose to ignore or cover up the shambolic and criminal state of our Social services and their out of kilter policies. It is no longer time for petitioning and being ignored, when it comes to our children only protesting will get attention.

We call on everyone who cares for children’s welfare to demonstrate your disapproval of these policies and also to write to your MSPs, MPs in protest stating that you support our protest.

Social Services by-pass grandparents and take a child into care. Alienate it from their family, usually telling them their family does not want to see them again. Then adopt them without consent from anyone.

A beautiful business plan for commodities, but children and families are not commodities, they are human beings and need to be treated with love, respect and kindness for them to grow into decent citizen’s men and women and be an asset to society.

Children who are separated from their entire extended family lose all stability and identity and are very often low achievers in society and end up turning to gangs as a substitute for family comfort to find the stability that was torn from them by incredible decisions made by Social Workers. They can become the thugs of tomorrow or worse yet suffer years of state sponsored abuse. They lose all respect for anybody. Possibly the reason older people and women are afraid to go out at night.

The Government of this country knows full well the feelings of the general public but choose to ignore or cover up the shambolic and criminal state of our Social services and their out of kilter policies. It is no longer time for petitioning and being ignored, when it comes to our children only protesting will get attention.

We call on everyone who cares for children’s welfare to demonstrate your disapproval of these policies and also to write to your MSPs, MPs in protest stating that you support our protest.



ORGANISATION:
GRANDPARENTS APART UK

NAME:
JAMES DEUCHARS

ADDRESS:
22 ALNESS CRESCENT, GLASGOW, G52 1PJ

VENUE:
GEORGE SQUARE

DATE(S):
WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2009

EVENT:
I ADOPTION DEMONSTRATION

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF LET FOR PARK/PRECINCT/SQUARE
(a) YOU confirm in writing that you indemnify the Glasgow City Council, Land &
Environmental Services against all claims of loss, damage, injury, etc., to the
participants or the public within the park/precinct/square area and that any
such loss, damage, injury, etc., will be your responsibility. YOU ARE
STRONGLY ADVISED TO TAKE OUT APPROPRIATE INSURANCE TO
COVER THESE LIABILITIES.
(b) You will be responsible for all Health and Safety matters arising from the Let.
At the time of entering this agreement you will notify the Council of any inherent
dangerous activities to take place or substances to be used that could cause
injury to participants-^s or to the public. In such circumstances the Council may:-
1. Require the exhibition of a valid third party public liability insurance policy
and/or
2. Impose such further conditions as are considered necessary by the Council
in the interests of Health and Safety.
(c) You are responsible for complete stewarding of your event to the satisfaction of
Land & Environmental Services and/or Strathclyde Police.
(d) You contact the local police to advise them of the proposed event.
(e) On no account will you stop any other park/precinct/square user for the
purpose of collecting money, etc., without appropriate Council licence
(telephone 0141 287 4812 for advice).
(f) You contact Building Control should the event involve any temporary raised
structures which are 600 mm above ground level (telephone 0141 287 4497 for

(g) You contact Environmental Health should the proposed event have elements
including noise emission, sale of food and beverages and public toilet
requirements (telephone 0141 287 9271 for advice).
(h) You ensure that no vehicles, other than those for which specific permission has
been given, are taken into the park, city centre precincts or squares.
(i) You exercise great care to ensure that no public congestion is caused and that
access is kept clear for vehicles of the emergency services.
(j) You reinstate any damage to, or remove litter left within, the
park/precinct/square, failing which a charge for same will be payable by you.
Reinstatement of George Square will require to be carried out by Land &
Environmental Services, with costs for same being payable by you. Please
also be aware that as part of the Clean Glasgow Campaign offenders at your
event promotion may incur £50 fixed penalty notices issued by enforcement
(k) You must liaise with Land & Environmental' Services to ensure that there are sufficient number ‘ of litter receptacles available for your event/promotion.
Additional bins to the existing PROVISION can be hired for siting at agreeable locations. Payment for emptying these units will be inclusive of the standard rates.

(l) You note that Glasgow Council reserves the right to cancel the let in the case of particular adverse ‘ weather or other circumstances.
(m) You do not advertise your event by fly posting. Failure to comply may result in
summary cancellation of the let.
(n) You ensure that leaflets/flyers are only handed out to those persons expressing
a genuine interest in your organization and/or campaign Any litter caused by
the leaflets should immediately collected by the distributor.
(o) You make contact with greater Glasgow Health Board Emergency Planning
Officer to ensure adequate first aid cover (telephone 0141 201 4554).
(p) You note that the consumption of alcohol out with licensed premises is
prohibited under the terms of the appropriate City Bye-law.
(q) You ensure that all noise levels are kept to a minimum to avoid disturbance to
other park/precinct/square users and/or to occupiers of surrounding properties.
(r) You note that no military involvement may take place without the prior
agreement of Land & Environmental Services.
(s) Should there be any alterations to the proposed event after initial permission is
granted, you will submit the revised plans to Land & Environmental Services
and await appropriate permission to be granted for amended proposals.
(t) Land & Environmental Services reserves the right to alter the set layout of your event at any time should ground conditions or any other circumstance so warrant.
(u) All electrical equipment brought on site should be portable appliance tested
and carry inspection stickers. Installation certification should also be available
for all generators, which must be diesel driven and barriered to prevent public
access to them. All sub contractors, traders and performers should be notified
accordingly. For advice and information please contact Andy McColl Technical
Manager for Events, and/or his designated Officers on 0141-427-6771. Any
equipment not in compliance with the foregoing is likely to be deemed
inoperable and may require to be removed from the event site.
(v) If there is a charge you will be invoiced 21 days prior to the event/promotion
and all invoices should be settled prior to your event/promotion.
(w) All events that are held on Land & Environmental Services premises must by
fully compliant with all applicable environmental legislation and SEPA Pollution
Prevention Guidelines. Any negative environmental aspects that may arise
from event activities must be assessed and where necessary suitable control
measure introduced to reduce any associated impacts to an acceptable level.
Examples of negative environmental impacts include fuel spillage, air/water
pollution or unacceptable noise levels. Particular care must be taken to ensure
that no fuel/ oil spillage is allowed to reach a drainage system as this may
result in the pollution of a nearby river or watercourse.
(x) If your event is going to restrict public access you will be required to apply for a
300*13^ r Order. For further information contact the Council's Outdoor
section 11 order 'telephone 0141 287 8585).
(y) Glasgow Green Lets Only - You are required to contact Land &
Environmental Services Cycle Unit (telephone 0141 287 9038) no less than
two weeks prior to your event if it will result in the closure of Route 75 (cycle
pathway adjacent to the River Clyde between King's Drive and Saltmarket) in
order that all appropriate signage is displayed prior to and during your event
and is removed timeously thereafter.
For more information refer to notes attached

I acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Permission to Use Letter and agree to
observe the conditions contained therein.
Signed
Position
Date



EXAMPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND BEST PRACTICE
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARD
BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE



FUEL OR OIL USE
1.
Clearly marked suitable containers.


2.
Storage of containers on drip tray or in a
bunded area.


3.
Bulk quantities of fuel to be stored in
internally bunded tank.


4.
All spillage to be cleaned up using an
absorbent material and the contaminated
material disposed of as a special waste.

5.
Ensure no fuel or oil reaches the drainage
system or open ground.



DISPOSAL OF WASTE
1.
Arrangements to be made with the Land &
Environmental Services Events Team to
clean up after an event.


2.
If possible segregate recycleable materials
(paper, cans, glass etc).


NOISE
1.
Ensure that the Land & Environmental
Services Events Team is informed if a
public address system is to be used during
an event.
2. [ Make sure that volume is kept to the
minimum level required and that any Db
parameters specified are adhered to.


If any further information is required on any potential environmental impacts, or
assistance in carrying out an assessment of any activities, relating to an event then
please contact Land & Environmental Services on 0141 287 9778