Between 1994 and 1998 Levi had another 3 children with the same partner, but he would come and go, criticising her parenting and regularly making allegations about her to social services. He was also violent. The children had regular short breaks from the family home and also lived with Levi's parents. There was regular social work involvement. Levi feels that she made a big mistake signing the foster placement forms each time, as this was evidence used against her:

"I thought I had signed the forms for a short break…but I was signing them away…"

At the end of one break, she had trouble getting the children back. Her parenting and mental health were assessed, and social workers wanted care orders on the children. One Monday, she went to court with the three youngest children. Instead of the expected court hearing, Levi found her children taken by police officers. She and her mother were arrested, Levi was pushed to the ground and restrained. She was said to have mental health problems and to be 'a danger to society'. The children were all taken by the police, separated and placed in foster care around the county.

"Social Services are supposed to be there to protect children, but these things happened in front of the three youngest ones…"

Levi feels having carers trained in short break care, who could come to the home and stay, or take children out regularly, could have helped.

A clear goal…

"I just had enough…I didn't think I had it in me but I proved to myself that I did. I knew I was going to get them back…I was very clear; I stood up to them."

Levi feels she spent the next two years of her life at her solicitors, making and taping statements and preparing the case for getting her children back. One social worker at the time encouraged her:

"She was fantastic, gave me a list of books, told me to read up on the law…she encouraged me to play them at their own game.."

Levi did everything the court required under a Supervision Order - seeing a psychologist, meeting her children regularly for contact; being agreeable. After two years, Levi's children were returned to her over a 6 month period.

But the hurt remains…

"Can you understand why I can't move on: I just exist: I've been like that since I got them back…"

Levi wants social workers who are family-oriented, understanding and helpful in practical ways – not afraid to get their clothes dirty or to make tea. To parents, she asks that they be honest with themselves about their faults and not lie about them as they will get found out. But they should not feel ashamed of their mistakes. She advises parents to fight to get their children back, read up on the law, play people at their own game, gather proof and evidence to help their case.

And the family is still affected…

"Four years on now, my eldest son is in a psychiatric unit, he self-harms; my eldest daughter got herself pregnant at 17. The five youngest ones have done very well at school…but they still have nightmares… and now and again ask if they are going to get taken again. It's not like the family I used to have; we are totally destroyed…I am still fighting to this day for compensation…I had a home once, and I lost it through social services…..I had to sell the house to get a barrister ...I was left with £2000 and homeless..."

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Content last updated: 26/10/2004

About the author

Ronny Flynn is the Director of Health and Housing for the Race Equality Foundation. She lectured in the School of Health and Social Welfare at the Open University until 2006, and has over 30 years experience as a writer, researcher, teacher and trainer. Her work centres on getting voices heard and promoting racial equality. Ronny originates from South Asia and has a teenage daughter.

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