Need help from a lawyer/someone who knows about social services??

[CAJ1]

I was fostered when I was younger and was placed in after care at 16 by Social Services. The house I was placed in had 2 using heroin addicts and a 26 year old man with criminal convictions none of whom had come through Social Services, one of the heroin addicts was the son of the lady who owned the home and she was also the carer, the other addict was his friend. The man with convictions was a friend of hers who rented a room as a normal lodger.

Was it wrong of them to place me in a home with people like this when I was quite vunerable? I went on to have a relationship with the man with convictions and spent 5 years in a domestic violence relationship with him feeling too scared to leave. I don't think this would have happened if he hadn't of been living in the house.

I just want to know really if there is anything that I can do as I think it was wrong that I was placed there and I don't like the thought of other vunerable people being placed there.

[Dris]

Thats quite disturbing.I have no clue how they got around that one.I dont see how ts too late to raise your concerns with Social Services even if its only to raise awareness.
Am I correct in assuming youre not looking for compensation just some kind of recognition that you were thrown in the lions den at such a young vulnerable age?

[Dris]

oops sorry Im neither a Lawyer nor know anything about Social Services -just offering support..

[CAJ1]

Thanks for your reply Dris!

I think that my social worker was aware of who was living in the house as she popped round quite often and was friendly with the landlady.

I'm not sure about whether or not to claim for compensation, I feel that more than 5 years of my life were screwed up because of Social Services. What would you do?

[Dris]

Well if I felt so strongly, and I do think they effed up big style, then I would go for one of those free half hour consultations with a Solicitor.That way they'll be able to point you in the right direction and give you legal advice.CAB will tell you where and when the consultations are held.I would stop short of tipping off Social Services until you know where you stand.I truthfully cant see you getting compensation but i'm not qualified so its hard to be objective.

[CAJ1]

I think thats what I will do Dris, go to one of the free consultations and see what a solicitor says. Even if it just stopped other people being placed there it would be something, looking back I could have probably very easily been influenced in to taking drugs and I wouldn't want that for someone else

[ummmm]

How long ago was this?

[CAJ1]

Nearly 10 years ago now ummmm

[Dee Sa]

maybe at that time there were no other places available to place you in ?how long before you left there and did they remove you and place you somewhere else or did you become old enough to just leave ? just asking.

[CAJ1]

It is a possibility Dee Sa but I find it hard to believe there was nowhere else. I was there for over 2 years and then I ended up moving out with the idiot of a boyfriend and getting a place with him by this time I was 18 and by that age leaving care services tend to stop although you can request their assistance up to the age of 21