After an acrimonious separation my ex partner abandoned my sons to the police on
December 15th 2002. They were then accommodated into care by Essex Social
Services.
On 17th December 2002 we were in the magistrate’s court to obtain an ICO after
the EPO finished. That’s when the SS then started their shenanigans. They
provided misleading evidence to the court to secure the ICO. I immediately
requested my file under the Data Protection Act (Dec 17th 2002). It never
arrived.
We had a contested hearing in Jan 03, with more lies and misleading evidence.
Still no sign of my file. We achieved, under oath a social worker to state his
statement and chronology was true and accurate. Effectively he perjured himself.
The judge recommended a family assessment, coincidentally the assessment centre
was chosen by the SS.
Off we went for our assessment, to an appalling method of treatment and they
refused to accept that I was telling the truth. Why? Because the evidence said
to the contrary. Yet at this stage there was no way of proving the evidence was
fraudulent. THEY RECOMMENDED ADOPTION.
In June 03 my youngest son’s godmother, a senior employee of Cambridge Social
Services made a formal complaint to the SS for their appalling behaviour. I had
shown her documentation of the proceedings and she could not believe the way
that this case was being handled and the treatment I and my family were
receiving. Subsequently, an independent investigation commenced. All the
complaints, including not providing my file under the DP act were upheld. But
still no sign of my file. The Investigators report was finished just in time for
the final hearing but the LA refused to release it. At that stage we did not
know what it contained.
On 13th September 2003 I said a final goodbye to my sons and kissed them both on
the forehead. My eldest son told me he missed me, and his little brother copied
his words. I could see the heartache in their faces and those words will haunt
me forever. I shut the car door, turned and walked away, knowing that was the
final goodbye. I had heard about the “farewell visit” and there was no way I
would attend that so I said goodbye in my own way without causing the children
further distress. I sat in my car and cried; at that point I could not see any
necessity to continue. I had no family and had been told I was incapable of
being a dad as well as a low life. There was nothing left. Words cannot explain
these feelings I would never wish anybody to experience this pain. I cannot
understand, either, how human beings can do this to others with no remorse and
Social Workers cannot have any conscience.
The final hearing was held In Sept 03, we lost the case and my sons were to be
placed for adoption. Again there was more misleading evidence given and more
lies told.
In Oct 2003 the adjudication and investigation report was available, but still
no sign of my file and therefore still no evidence to go back on appeal.
My file, incomplete arrived on 18th Dec 03, 1 year and 1 day after my request,
coincidentally just after the time had elapsed for lodging an appeal. However,
the “critical” information was still missing. I asked for this but it never came
and legal action ensued.
In April 2004, after directions from a judge and much documented toeing and
froing and evasive action on the part of the LA the critical information
arrived. Too late for an appeal. But here was the evidence of both perjury and
perverting the course of justice. I took the case to the police who “believed”
they had a strong case to investigate. But then suddenly they used a court
ruling as to why they could not investigate my complaint. Thus harbouring
potential criminals within our Social services system.
I lodged another complaint to the SS and another investigation commenced. This
was finalised in Feb 05, with more complaints upheld, the most serious the
refusal to release information under the DP act. I took the case to the review
panel that concluded that the SS had failed to keep accurate records, and in
some cases no records at all.
I subsequently received an apology letter from Essex CC for all their failings.
Small consolation for the loss of my sons!!!
In March 05 I embarked on a contact order (section 8) and this was transferred
to the High Court, I was advised to lodge an appeal. During this court action I
acted as litigant in person. I found that yet again the SS were trying mislead
the court and demonstrated this to the Judge. She heavily criticised the SS and
much of this has been recorded in her judgement. The outcome being agreement to
send a letter to the adopters in an attempt to meet. I now understand that it
has taken six months for this to be sent and I still have not heard!!!!!!
Somehow I don’t think I will.
I as instructed had lodged my appeal. Extension for leave had been granted, yet
it was over 2 years since the final order. I was advised by Lord Ward that if we
had presented this evidence within the initial time frame that he would have
happily granted leave to appeal. I explained why this evidence was not available
and it was all included in the bundle.
Finally, in Jan 06, I went before 3 three appeal Judges, Lord Thorpe included. I
was advised that adoption is final, there is no going back, can’t be undone etc
and at least my sons have a letter of apology on file to read when they are
older and that they are truly sorry. They explained the courts do not permit
what is termed an academic appeal and can only work on cases with a real chance
of success. In their view overturning adoption has no chance of success
irrespective of the evidence because of the further harm it could case the child
or children.
Yet if academic appeals were allowed then surely this could assist with the
upbringing of the child and help remove the damage that we know is caused by the
adoption process. So why wont they do anything?
So the big question, where do I go from here?
This has ruined my life, and I cannot imagine what it has done to my sons. All
the notes I have recorded here are documented and not based on hearsay or
conjecture. Yet even with this overwhelming evidence I cannot have contact with
my sons. This surely cannot be in any Childs best interest.
Yours
CS
