last resort arrangement order

I think its unlikely you will get the amount of access you want as thats alot. I would have a think about it logically then go for a more realistic amount.
What happens when they start school? Their parents won't see them for a whole weekend. What happens during if they have a Holiday? Want to see friends? Other family? parties etc.

Asmuch as my dd loved her nan, she didn't want to stop over as she got older. What happens if that happens? You're wanting 2 children to see their mom on a Friday morning and not see her till Sunday, what about homework? Getting ready for school the next morning?

I think that because you have been a good role model and a reoccurring person you will get access but as a grandparent, not a parent. You don't have the same amount of rights as a parent and what you're asking for, to me sounds alot, maybe the amount of access a parent would get.

My Son has just been to court for access to his son , contact was stopped on many occasions by his X out of the blue for no good reason . It has been a long hard road but he now has joint custody which was actually more than he expected , the judges/ cafcas / social workers are very experienced at seeing the truth regarding bogus claims by bitter X`s . They do very detailed reports and seem to be accurate in their assessments of what is going on regardless of involved parties `take` on what is right for the child . I have been very impressed by the level of scrutiny of all parties and am delighted with the outcome . My GS was quite untrusting at first , he had been told that Daddy was too busy to see him ( which lasted for 8 months) unforgivable ! He has been told gently and without accusing his Mum what actually happened , that it cannot happen again and that he can count on seeing his `other family` regularly . I hope things go well for you Suzi and that the right outcome is reached .

How did it go, would really like some direction, xx

Please come back and let us know, my daughter who the girls were placed with by ss I have included her and her husband, so should they be in court too... seeing a solicitor for direction tomorrow, in our case ss say that they lost the files when the system was changed ovor to windows 10,,, convenient as it seems like the neglect and drug drink were made up by ourselves x

Hi Suzi, we are going through the same problem. have already been to court once and have our second hearing in front of the district judge this week. been advised that the law is changing next year so keeping our fingers crossed. not sure what to expect at this hearing.

Suzie great minds think alike - I have suggested to them she has a psychological evaluation after the pet abuse incidents , she has even tried to turn that around and PLAY THE VICTIM! lol

She said the RSPCA have no concerns ( so I am the baddy for reporting her and trying to protect her poor little dog ) but even her dog is showing signs of aggressive behaviours now but I am NOT SURPRISED after everything she goes through and the affect on her little mind!

The poor dog has ended up disturbed now and I am supposed to end up sending my GS back there?!!

Anyway , yes ask for the court appointed guardian to get in touch , not sure through who as I had the assigned one ring me just before the first court date and he has been brilliant!!

Thank you, do I ring the court for that, as cafcas have not given a recommendation or shall I request one, I'm really trying to cover all the bases here. Can't you get a mental health assessment on your daughter, maybe that will be what seals it her unstable mind.

OMG Suzie am glad you have come back on for support!

It is such a stressful time I had to ring my doctor today

Manipulation - I know it WELL believe me but am still hoping the judge etc have been in the job long enough to see through it all and look at the REAL TRUTH

My daughter is doing everything in her power for little man not to remain with me , lies , dirty tactics slurring me too but yet SS know he is well cared for and it was not an easy process / assessment etc to get him here but they have no concerns and know she is just doing it out of spite

Is there a court appointed guardian as they can be GOOD as they only focus on the CHILD and they are the child's voice as it were so it may be a very good idea to get them on board and make contact with them xx

It is sounding a lot more hopeful for you than before tbh and well done! x

Hello again, well went to court with crb police statements proving and negating their argument that we are a negative influence on the girls, the boyfriend was at court but disappeared when we went in so judge asked for him to turn up for next hearing which I agreed with as he is part of the girls lives. I turned in my statement of truth to usher with copies for all parties the sw gave us the family conference report that we were not allowed to attend but that turned out to be totally rubbish so I requested a clarified version with correct information in it which I now have. However, we didn't get given the sw report at court, so I asked her for a copy but she said it was only a chronology of her involvement so I insisted that under transparency I would like to see this she refused, so the court have order ss to supply or report to them the reasons why we can't have it.
in court judge asked why I thought we should have contact so outlined our connection and family, then asked my daughter why she thought we should not, she said due to the derogatory remarks we make about them in front of the girls. Then sw was asked and she said the local authority do not support contact at this time, omg she's very good at manipulation as she said before we went in it the first step to getting your family back together. Gggrrr so why say different to the judge.
Then the judge said she had read through my application and was satisfied that we do have a connection and bond with the girls and cannot rule out an arrangement order. Then asked sw for her to put a sec 7 together outlining the concerns they have on contact. So does it look like we are going to see them or not, and can I ask for an interim contact order if the case goes to yet another hearing, going out of my mind here xx

How did this go Suzie?

Please let us know

I am in the wrangles of a court battle myself now so know how hard it is but I hope you had a good outcome? (smile) (smile)

It is hard to remain impartial AND voice concerns , personally I am voicing my concerns to the hilltops if it saves little man from any further suffering in his life!!!

At least we know we have done our best for the children and will always be here for them as a place of safety and healing xx

Hugs to you whatever the outcome!! x

Getting real nervous, but got police reports that I requested and recent crb check which totally discount their allegations of violent behaviour and saying we are constantly drunk, well as part of my job every week I get alcohol tested and a random other. Again this negates their allegations. Social worker will be there who said she thinks he won't be there and my daughter will just agree with what the judge says... so everything is filed and ready let's just hope this brings us a step closer to the girls, in need of nanny time ...fingers crossed for us plz xx

You need to get a solicitor who is included on the Children Panel.
In complex private law cases, the Court may appoint a Children's Guardian to represent the children's wishes and feelings and provide an independent view of the situation.
The only people with parental responsibility here are the parents. SW have to work within that, it sounds as though the mother agreed to the children being 'accommodated' voluntarily and the sw placed the children, rightly, within there family.

There are good websites like the Family Rights Group but honestly - get a solicitor who specialises in child care.

Good luck Suzie

August 29 is just around the corner, Suzi. I hope all goes well, and that you fill us in.

Cafcass have done their report but their is no recommendations and they finish by saying their involvement has now finished ...so court Tues what will happen now will it be totally up to the judge xx

It feel like they don't want us near the girl, it's just such a mess x

Such good advice from all posters especially about keeping calm-impossible i know when there is so much love and anxiety about the welfare of your angels. The dealings with all authorities are beyond frustrating as their arbitrary decisions seem to go against all logic regarding the emotional wellbeing of the children. You simply cannot show any antipathy towards ANYTHING even though you're raging and screaming inside you have to (try try try!) to remain calm and collected. It is such a hard road to travel and you have to dig very deep into your own emotional resources to get through - the complete lack of control over the welfare of your adored own flesh and blood is devastating but you have to hold on because they will always need you. In my own dear D & GD's case things did eventually get better and six years on we are all in a happier place. Massive hugs and prayers that you continue to be strong for them

I know it is hard but SW's always seem in favour of NP's and if they think you disaprove of them or their lifestyle they may feel contact with you could undermine success of placed back with NP's. Try hard not to appear judgmental about DD & SiL as it will count against you. Can you work with BP even if they are manipulative in order to keep access with your DGD's. State to SW that you hope placement back with NP works well for DGC. Don't add you think it won't. If they see you can be impartial they are more likely to give you better access.

Grandparents do not have any automatic rights to contact so social workers are unable to arrange this if parents don't agree. I assume the 29th is the first hearing where the court will consider agreeing to your application for an Arrangement Order? It's unlikely they will make any decisions on that day about contact but will probably arrange another hearing. Given Social Services involvement, the court will likely ask for a Section 7 Welfare report which will give you & your daughter an opportunity to explain why your grandchildren will benefit from contact with you. A CAFCAS officer will be involved who will represent the children's best interests but there will not be a Guardian ad litem as suggested by starlily as they are only appointed in public law cases, not private law matters. In my experience in Children's Services, I do think asking for every Sunday is excessive and unlikely that the court would agree

Have you contacted CAB they often arrange free access to a solicitor for advice usually a 30 minute appointment which could give valuable directions and possibly help with any legal aid schemes

I really feel so sorry for your predicament. It is very difficult to deal with Social Workers.

Have you asked Social Services if the children have a guardian ad litem? When I was waiting to get custody of my dgd, she had a solicitor who acted on her behalf, and not for her mother, my son, or me. He only acted for dgd, finding out what was best for her. I didn't have to pay for this. Courts and S.S. have to listen closely to what is said by this g.a.l, and are guided by what they say. Please ask S.S. about this, as it may help you.

I'll leave all the advise to the other posters who have experience of your situation. I know you said you are not enlisting a solicitor but if things change and you need to,be very wary as my friend has so far paid £20,000 to fight for her son to see his son and they are loosing the case as caffcass are not prepared to see the bigger picture.Very sad time for all.

What a mess for you.
As others have said ,TRY to stay calm and get a solicitor x

Would it be possible to go on a 'Crowd Funding' page to raise enough money for a Solicitor? People seem to go on the site for much more trivial reasons than that and are successful.