Social services disclosure
**Social Services Disclosure – Understanding What Social Services Hold About You**
In many family court cases, the judge may request a **Social Services Disclosure** to review any records or involvement relating to your family. This may include past referrals, assessments, welfare checks, child protection enquiries, or notes from any previous concerns. At **ChildrenNeedBoth**, we help you understand exactly what information may appear, how it may be interpreted, and how to respond clearly and confidently.
Whether you want to obtain your own social services file or prepare for court involvement, we provide full support and guidance every step of the way.
For confidential help, call **07448 312121** or email **[email protected]**.
Social services records can play a crucial role in cases involving **child arrangements**, **risk of harm**, **domestic violence allegations**, **safeguarding concerns**, or **fact-finding hearings**. Even historical or closed cases can be brought into court, so it is important to understand what is on file.
ChildrenNeedBoth helps you obtain your social services disclosures, understand the information clearly, and address anything that may raise concerns during your proceedings.
**We ensure you are informed, prepared, and supported.**
### **Understanding Social Services Disclosure in Family Court**
A **Social Services Disclosure** is a request made by the family court to obtain information held by the local authority about a parent, child, or household. This may include:
– **Referrals made by schools, doctors, police, neighbours or professionals**
– **Child in Need (CIN) plans**
– **Child Protection (CP) plans**
– **Early help involvement or family support services**
– **Section 47 (safeguarding) enquiries**
– **Home visits, welfare checks and assessments**
– **Notes, reports or concerns recorded by social workers**
– **Historical involvement, even cases that were closed years ago**
This information helps the court assess **risk, safety and child welfare**.
We make sure you understand what may be disclosed and how it may influence your case.
### **Getting Your Social Services File & Understanding It**
ChildrenNeedBoth supports you with:
– **Applying for a Social Services Subject Access Request (SAR)**
– **Understanding the difference between Early Help, CIN and CP records**
– **Reviewing your file for accuracy, context and relevance**
– **Explaining how each entry may be interpreted by the court**
– **Preparing responses to any concerns or misunderstandings**
– **Supporting you with safeguarding discussions and risk assessments**
– **Helping you organise your evidence to present your position clearly**
Many parents worry about past incidents, misunderstandings, or incorrect notes — we help you clarify the facts and present your truth confidently.
**If you need help obtaining or understanding your social services file, contact us today.**
### **How Social Services Information Is Used in Court**
Social services records may be considered in cases involving:
– **Child Arrangement Orders**
– **Fact-Finding Hearings**
– **Domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns**
– **Risk of harm assessments (PD12J)**
– **Specific Issue or Prohibited Steps Orders**
– **Cafcass safeguarding checks & Section 7 reports**
We help you:
– **Prepare statements addressing any issues raised in the file**
– **Respond to allegations or concerns linked to social services involvement**
– **Clarify misunderstandings and provide accurate context**
– **Show evidence of change, stability and positive parenting**
– **Focus the court’s attention on your child’s safety and wellbeing**
With our guidance, you can approach court prepared, organised and confident.
**For expert guidance with social services disclosure issues, call 07448 312121 or email [email protected].**