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Freedom of information act and Social Services?

I wonder if anyone can tell me if under the freedom of information act, a parent can ask to see all records and reports held be children's social services?

Comments

  • LenGlover
    LenGlover Posts: 31,651
    https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/organisations-you-can-ask-for-information

    Not really clear but I guess the thing to do is try and if and when they say no go to the Information Commissioner.

    Alternatively sign the form Prague Addick

    :-)
  • Off_it
    Off_it Posts: 28,828
    Len, I think you'll find there's a European Directive which outlaws establishing the truth. Thought you'd know that.
    ;o)
  • aliwibble
    aliwibble Posts: 26,269
    Sadie, I think this might be more appropriately done as a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act, although it's slightly more complicated in that you aren't requesting your own data but your child's. The principle is that the data is still the child's not yours, so depending on how old they are, those you requested the infomation from may respond to the child rather than you. Information about all this is here: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/personal-information/ and the PDF they link to has more detail including a section on Social Services records that might be of use.

    Short answer is maybe, maybe not, depending on the precise circumstances
  • Your child? If not, no chance, I'd say.