Abuse from Educational Welfare Officers

[dragongiraffe]

Last year our daughter began her education her from home with the full knowlege and support of the LEA.
In November 2009 we are visited at our home by an Educational Welfare Officer to investigate her "unauthorised absences from school", totally in ignorance that we were educating her from home with the support of the LEA 'EOTAS' Team.
He threatened our 12 year old that, unless she returned to school, her parents "would be prosecuted and could go to gaol". She was threatened with being taken into care and she threatened suicide.
When I complained to the EWO about his conduct his Supervisor responded, supporting and backing his comments and conduct. His Supervisor also denied us a fair hearing - a right enshrined in Article 2; Human Rights Act 1998.
I complained to the Council's Head of Behaviour & Attendance about both officers. He responded the same, also denying our right to a fair hearing under Article 2 of The 1998 Act.
We had tried to contact the first EWO for over 5 years regarding bullying our daughter was forced to endure which he denies, but we have, contrary, evidence of. By failing to address the bullying, this man has denied our daughter access to the educational system (Protocol 1, Article 2; Human Rights Act 1998.
The Police say the only reason this man has not been interviewed and even charged with a Public Order Offence is because he made his comments in our home and not in "the public arena" (our doorstep).
Northumberland County Council is now looking into this matter but they think they are going to walk away from this - something which is not going to happen. How to I begin to "turn up the heat" on this matter? We'll go to every Court on the way to Strasbourg
Thanks, Col.

[buildersmate]

I see where part of your username comes from, though I'm not sure about the 'giraffe' bit.

[dragongiraffe]

Thanx for your msg "BM". Going for the jugular doesn't normally fall within my remit - my job requires me to "get even, not mad".

But NOBODY treats our 'kids like this. When she came to us and said she'd go into the woods and hang herself to save us from gaol ...........!!

[Everhelpful]

Go for it with all guns blazing,dragongiraffe,I'm from North Tyneside and know how these sh!tbags work.

[dragongiraffe]

One of my own ilk, Everhelpful - Thank You.
What obviously took them aback was me, pleading and begging them to prosecute me!
Our daughter is the victim. The EWO knew immediately what he had done, and so lied to his Manager, we can prove it all - and it's all on their letterheads complete with signatures!

[B00]

My advice?

Don't go in screaming and shouting (as much as you'd want to!). If you do, they are likely going to have you down as an hysterical parent and more or less brush your valid concerns aside.

Try to be as calm as you can, and more important rational, and tell them your grievences as clearly and consisely as you can.

What's the outcome you would like?

[Everhelpful]

Please let us know the outcome.

[Androcles]

As I have said to one or two posters on here, if you get to the point where you are having this kind of trouble with officials, get after the elected officers above them. Find out the portfolio holder (or whatever your responsible council calls them ) for education, but a detailed case together and send it to them for their comments. Get onto the council website and identify all the members of his/her committee and send them copies for info. Name the officials concerned in the documents. Ask for details of their complaints procedure and ask if there is a local ombudsman. If you feel strongly enough and can afford it get a solicitor to write the letters.

Make sure you copy your local MP.

Say and perhaps even do, speak to the local press on the basis that you are trying to find out if there are any other cases similar to yours. If they start nosing around, minds will start to get concentrated.

You could also write to your local paper if you think they need another kick up the posterior.

The rule with these guys is be more persistent than they are, make sure they know you will not go away.

[dragongiraffe]

Hi BOO & thanks for your msg. My background is with HMG Forensic Audit. (Carrying out financial investigations - with folk like Benefits Agency, Local Authorities, Police Authorities, HMRC, etc. and with a view to prosecution.
I'm extremely comfortable in a Court environment - just don't know much about education legislation &, therefore would appreciate any appropriate advice. Also, up 'til now, my brief (from work) has always been "don't talk to the press. Now, ' though, I'm a parent of a little girl who's been traumatised shitless!

I've also known the LEA's Director of Schools Policy for quite a few years. It's a good relationship and she was sent recently to sound me out because of that relationship. In this respect, I know how scared the LEA is as they, via. the actions of their officers, have broken more than one law both in the UK & ECHR. I think they are keen to know if we'll "role over" (stupid queation). I'm just curious to know whether they really know just how much brown stuff they are in!
So I do need your guidance re: Education Law (I also believe in the maxim; "it's not what you know but ......").
BW. Col.

[B00]

Hiya again.

Honestly, I can't help you, i know nowt about these kind of situations, I was just coming from the "i've dealt with the public for years" angle.

I wish you luck though, and keep us updated.

Boo :-)

[dragongiraffe]

Hi Androcles. Thanks for your response. Our local Councillor was useless. Because we would not follow his guidance specifically, he accused us of having lost confidence in the LA - which was untrue - we have lost confidence in individuals within that LA but not the body itself. He therefore is no longer in the picture. The Council Leader merely said he'd look into it & we never heard anything more. The Executive Member for Childrens Services couldn't even be bothered to shift her backside & reply. Hence the involvement of our MEP who's got them running 'rond headless. (More than one way of skinning a cat!)

[dragongiraffe]

Hiya BOO - Don't worry 'bout it. It's just good to come on here and doubt the sanity/parentage of certain individuals. (If we all got together on here and rented ourselves out as "appropriate consultants, we'd make a fortune!).

[dragongiraffe]

Oh don't worry, Everhelpful, - You'll here the screams from Morpeth!!

[Riss]

I dont know anything about schooling but I do know threatening a 12 year old girl is a crime.So yes, it isn't Sect 4 or 5 public order,but it is also a separate offence to cause alarm or distress,and this vile man has done that with a vengeance.

[dragongiraffe]

Hi Riss - sorry for delay. A friend on Northumbria Police, along with his Supervision, looked into this from a S.5/S.4 viewpoint. As the EWO's comments were made in our home, there is no public order offence (ie; comments were outside "the public arena). Police aren't letting it drop 'though & are looking @ Children and Young Persons Act avenues.
It appears these folk, social workers, etc. know exactly what theyr'e doing. If they come to anyone's door, keep them on the doorstep/out of the home - whatever they will then begin @ S.5/S.4 - and that, I'm told, will just be the start! If they insist on coming in - refuse, advising them to return with a warrant + police officer. Insist that the police officer arrests you and interviews you at police station on tape. The way our local Bobbies explained things to us makes damned good sense.