1. What is the burden of proof in child abuse cases? Are there any specific guidelines that need to be followed or is this worked on probability of the reporters beliefs?
Burden of proof is generally a legal term applied by the Courts. Social Workers undertake assessments of children as set out and required by relevant legislation.
2. Do child social services follow the same guidelines or process when investigating child abuse when the child is in the care of the local authority as it does when a child is still living with their parent/s?
Yes
3. How many complaints have been raised each year since 2010 in regards to Cafcass or other child experts such as psychologists, psychiatrists? This can be either calendar or financial year, whichever you use for statistics
Devon County Council (DCC) do not hold this information
4. Do child social services do background checks on the experts they use in cases such as criminal convictions, credentials etc?
Experts are registered, meaning their checks are completed as part of this process.
5. Does the family court use the same judge throughout cases in family court or can the judge change during cases? Are there any statistics on this for each year since 2010 in either calendar or financial period? The Courts will need to respond to this.
DCC do not hold this information
6. Are there any statistics for non return of children by non-residential parent to residential parent for each year since 2010 by either calendar or financial year? If so, are these statistics separated by male / female parent not returning child from contact?
DCC do not hold this information
7. Does the gender of the parent making a custody application have any bearing on the outcome of the custody dispute? Is there any statistics or evidence to back this up? Again since 2010 by either calendar or financial year.
DCC do not hold this information
8. Does the distance or interim decision in custody disputes affect the outcome of the case? Again if there are any statistics on this please use statistics since 2010 per calendar or financial year.
DCC do not hold this information
9. How many allegations made to child social services are upheld without a full investigation or professional proof? How many are immediately investigated. Any statistics from 2010 by calendar or financial year are appreciated.
DCC do not hold this information
10. How often, if at all do child social services close a case without investigating? statistics if available since 2010 by calendar or financial year.
DCC do not hold this information
11. At what age should an adult explain death to a child and under what circumstances would this be deemed appropriate? Any reports of evidence of this would be lovely.
DCC do not hold this information
12. If a male has a pattern of behaviour of becoming involved with single mum’s with children or moving in with a female with children within 3 months of first meeting her would child social services regard this as a risk factor? If so, how and are there any reports or documents to back this up?
DCC do not hold this information