0:00:12 > 0:00:15After scandals like Baby P,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18most social workers feel criticised from all sides.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Either they're interfering home wreckers
0:00:26 > 0:00:31or incompetent do-gooders who fail to protect our children.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39I think it's the most hated profession in the nation, probably.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41I even have some people in the wider family who say,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43"Why are you a social worker?"
0:00:43 > 0:00:46They won't even admit to their friends
0:00:46 > 0:00:48they have a social worker in their family.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52You're not very liked.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Suzanne is a newly-qualified social worker,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03one of several filmed in Bristol over a year.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09It's November, and Suzanne is six weeks into her first case,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12a family who are struggling with their young boy.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19DOG BARKS
0:01:19 > 0:01:20Oh, God!
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- Hello. Anybody in? - Yes, in here, love.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32- Hello. Hiya, Tiffany.- Hello.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Mike and Tiffany have a three-year-old son.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Toby is well behind in his development.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44He cannot speak, and still wears nappies.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47For his own protection, he will not be identified.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49You're nosy, aren't you?
0:01:49 > 0:01:51The family are living in basic accommodation,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55and Toby doesn't yet have a bed to sleep in.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- So, how is his bed coming on?- It's getting delivered today or tomorrow.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04- That is really urgent, isn't it?- Yes. - I don't know if you could get hold of a mattress or something
0:02:04 > 0:02:07where he could sleep till then?
0:02:07 > 0:02:11He has actually slept on the settee last night and the night before.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- What time...?- He's fallen asleep, and we just left in there.- Yes.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20Mike, do you think you are prepared to answer a few questions?
0:02:20 > 0:02:23The case has become much more serious
0:02:23 > 0:02:26since bruises were found on Toby two weeks ago.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Right! At the end of the day, you might be a trainee social worker,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31but what I am still fuming about is
0:02:31 > 0:02:35the way that you accused me on Friday.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40We're investigating at the moment, Mike,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and I'm here to protect children.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45You are here to split the family up. Let's get it straight.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- Michael, can you please calm down? - It's true though, love.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50We're doing this in front of your child.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53I'm not really feeling that comfortable
0:02:53 > 0:02:55that you are raising that voice.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57You're out to do one thing.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- You're quite stuck in that opinion, aren't you?- Yes.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03We've said to you before, that is not the way.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- I know you're out to do one thing.- OK.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09I'll repeat it now with the camera. You're out to wreck us.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38Any new job is always scary. It's not nice to be shouted at.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41He can flip from second to second.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50I'm worried about my own practice, worried about what will happen
0:03:50 > 0:03:53if I see him next. Yes, it gets into my dreams
0:03:53 > 0:03:56and into my subconscious, where I don't want it to be.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58If I'm that worried about Mike, if I'm that scared,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00how does Toby feel in this?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The next day, the family are called to the office,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11as there may be legal consequences in the case.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Suzanne has received a medical report indicating
0:04:15 > 0:04:18some of the bruising may be grab marks.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23Do you want to take some toys? Yes, you do, don't you?
0:04:23 > 0:04:25You grab some toys if you want to.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Because she's new to the job,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Suzanne is supported by a more-experienced social worker, Paul.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37The purpose of this meeting is to go through this,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and the main concerns that started this assessment are
0:04:40 > 0:04:43the two fingerprint bruises that were found
0:04:43 > 0:04:46on Toby's arm by the paediatrician.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Now, regarding the actual bruises,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51the reason given for the left arm was not seem to be consistent
0:04:51 > 0:04:54by the paediatrician with the injuries that were there.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56The one on his arm, I done, admittedly,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59because he got out of his buggy,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02went to run into a busy road, so I grabbed him.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05I didn't actually mean to leave a bruise on him.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09If it's a criminal record, then go ahead and carry on. Give it to me,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12because I would rather have a criminal record than a dead son.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15But even the one you can explain to us, it is still a concern,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17because the paediatrician has said
0:05:17 > 0:05:20the injury doesn't seem consistent with that version of events,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23of grabbing him to stop him running into the road.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Again, it is likely it has come from somewhere else.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29There was a bruise on the face, which you told as happened
0:05:29 > 0:05:31when Toby fell over, or was pushed over by the dog
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and hit his head on the radiator.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38- When he was little, he ran into my laptop.- Mmm.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Yes, he bled, yes, he cried.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45He cried for about five minutes. That hurt.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48When he ran into the radiator, he stood up and he laughed.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51So, surely, I'm sorry, if it's going to hurt,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54he'd be crying and screaming his head off.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Surely to God, I know more about my son
0:05:57 > 0:05:59than you guys do from day one when you've been with us.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02You've pointed the finger at me,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I've had an absolute gut full of that.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09Suzanne was the one that stood there and accused me of doing it.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10Would you like us to look after him
0:06:10 > 0:06:13for a while whilst you're having the conversations?
0:06:13 > 0:06:16I'm aware that he's hearing a lot of this.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Do you want to come and do some playing with us, next door? Yes.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Come on, then. There we go, we've got some toys.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Do you want to take that as well?
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Basically, if we work with you guys and do everything you ask,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31everything will be OK, yeah?
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I'm not going to stand here and say things aren't serious
0:06:34 > 0:06:35and that isn't a concern.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37I understand they're serious, I do.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40That is why we're trying to change it.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44I did have a bad view of social workers,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47because I didn't have them around when I needed them,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- when I was a kid. - I know the feeling.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Now that I didn't want them, they're there.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58I would rather accept the help and have my kid than not have him.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- Because I've lived my whole life without my mum.- Mmm.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- And...- That's affected you, hasn't it?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Yes.- We know the fact that it has.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08We don't want to see Toby have the same thing.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I'm really sorry to interrupt you again, I just thought you
0:07:11 > 0:07:14would want to know that he's fallen to sleep flat on the desk.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Suzanne and Paul call the meeting to an end.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24There's insufficient evidence of physical abuse
0:07:24 > 0:07:25to take the matter to court.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Let's go and get you to Mummy.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Get you to Mummy. I can bring you to Mummy.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Come on, let's bring you to Mummy. Look through that window.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Look who's there.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43TOBY STARTS TO CRY
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Look who's there.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48It's all right.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51There, he's woken up. All right, there we go.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54I can understand why they are reacting the way they are.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57But they've got to understand
0:07:57 > 0:08:01the parents are reacting the way they are because you've got
0:08:01 > 0:08:04two social workers saying, "You're rough handling your own kid."
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Of course, you're going to have a dig or a pop at them.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10All right, buddy.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12To be honest, I don't think much of them.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29The team manager Sally-Ann remains worried about Toby's developmental delay
0:08:29 > 0:08:32and the conditions in which he's living.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37The main concern is parental neglect.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We've also got the additional information that
0:08:41 > 0:08:45the parents have not been taking Toby for his medical appointments,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47he's not been going to nursery.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Dad's really volatile reaction, poor conditions,
0:08:51 > 0:08:52lack of food in the house, et cetera.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56The basic stuff that we've been expecting this time,
0:08:56 > 0:08:57they've not done it.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Focusing on Mum, she's not doing anything.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03She does lip service, she's telling us, "Yes, we'll do that."
0:09:03 > 0:09:06He still doesn't have a bed, a toothbrush,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08all those underlying kinds of neglect.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Mike said, "I don't brush my teeth, why should he brush his teeth?"
0:09:12 > 0:09:16We need to say, "We accept you don't agree with this,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19"but let's talk about what's important, a plan of progress."
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- Could we do another follow-up visit?- Yes.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34A week on, another experienced social worker, Louise,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36is asked to support Suzanne.
0:09:36 > 0:09:43All I need is my keys, isn't it? I don't need anything else.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Sally-Ann asks them to make
0:09:45 > 0:09:49an unannounced visit to the family home.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Do you know much about it, apart from that Dad doesn't...?
0:09:52 > 0:09:53I know everything about this case.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55We've lived and breathed it, haven't we?
0:09:55 > 0:09:56I was here last week
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- when that little chappie was asleep on the table.- Oh...
0:10:03 > 0:10:04- What's the briefcase for? - It's my bag!
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- Have you a dead body in there? - No, just dead children!
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Go on!
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Everybody in this job remembers what it was like,
0:10:11 > 0:10:17having their first case that was complex, difficult or unexpected.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18We all remember that feeling of,
0:10:18 > 0:10:22"How an earth I am going to cope with this and deal with this
0:10:22 > 0:10:23"and make sure I get it right?,"
0:10:23 > 0:10:26and the responsibility of getting it right for the child.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33I think to go together and do those visits is supportive
0:10:33 > 0:10:36to somebody like Suzanne on a case like this.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Hello? Are you all right?
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- How is he getting on with brushing his teeth?- Er, yeah, not too bad.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Who is doing it? Tell me. Is he doing it, or...?- Yeah.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Sorry, Mike, to say that this is not quite
0:11:04 > 0:11:06what we were talking about, was it?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Right, I just need to pop into the bedroom.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18All that clutter in the corner, where did that come from?
0:11:18 > 0:11:20That's his potty in the corner, isn't it?
0:11:22 > 0:11:26OK, Mike, I've just done a quick pop-in visit.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Are you good at housework? Why can't you get it sorted?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- When you go in a house like that, would you leave a dog in there?- No.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40Why would we live a child? They've got no interest.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44They are not engaging in requests by us. You know, it's neglect.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- You've got to remember Sally-Ann has not been in that house.- Mmm.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- You've got to bring that house to her.- Yes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:55The fact that every time you go there, you are saying to them, "This house has not changed,"
0:11:55 > 0:11:58it's not good enough. There's not any space for that child to play
0:11:58 > 0:12:00unless he sits on the newspaper
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- that is provided for the dog to pee and poo on.- Yes.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Actually, I'm thinking this little boy shouldn't be there.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13There's a difference between mess,
0:12:13 > 0:12:18which you know if you looked at, ten minutes and you could sort that out,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21to mess that you know is going to take you days,
0:12:21 > 0:12:27and you've got food and faeces, urine and stuff all over the floors.
0:12:27 > 0:12:33Your natural response is to provide comfort, so bedding...
0:12:33 > 0:12:36If that's not there and it's all strewn on the floor
0:12:36 > 0:12:39and you know that child is just sleeping wherever,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41that is a sign of neglect.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46If you had no money,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50you would still provide a duvet and a pillow, somehow.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51When you fail to think that,
0:12:51 > 0:12:56because you're meeting every need which might be your own, is when,
0:12:56 > 0:12:57then, the risks present.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03The bathroom was filthy, completely stained, dirty.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05The toilet hasn't been cleaned for a while.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08The toothbrush was lying on this filthy floor.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11From last week, this...
0:13:11 > 0:13:15It sounds to me like we need to do a written plan with them
0:13:15 > 0:13:17that specifically goes through
0:13:17 > 0:13:19the jobs that they need to be doing in this house.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- What do you think?- Yes, that's fine.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- You look really worried about this child.- I am.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- I can tell.- It's just because
0:13:29 > 0:13:33everybody I've spoken to about this child,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36and Louise said, "Why is this child still in there?"
0:13:36 > 0:13:40I'm just trying to decide... Well, actually, I don't know why.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43If you get to a point where you have to remove a child,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46it's better to do that and do it successfully.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50We have to illustrate that we've given the family every opportunity
0:13:50 > 0:13:52to understand the concerns and change,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55and one of our biggest problems is that we've had this case,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58in this team, a matter of a very few weeks.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02We need to be allowing that a bit more time. Does that make sense?
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- No, it does make sense. Sorry for being so...- No!
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Not quite...
0:14:08 > 0:14:11I don't mind social workers coming to me and saying,
0:14:11 > 0:14:12"I'm really, worried about this,"
0:14:12 > 0:14:16and then us both sharing the risk together.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I'd quite like to come and meet this family.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22We talked about you and I doing a joint visit. I think I'd quite like to come.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Shall we do one together on Friday?- Yes.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Ready, steady, go!
0:14:56 > 0:14:58TOBY LAUGHS
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Got to do it better. One, two, three, wee!
0:15:06 > 0:15:10To help the family, the social workers buy Toby his first bed.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18But they insist that Mike and Tiffany must clean up
0:15:18 > 0:15:20and provide better care for him.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Every single task is laid out in a formal agreement.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31It does get upsetting, because we do try.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Yeah, our house is never going to be a palace, kind of thing,
0:15:35 > 0:15:40but at the end of the day, we haven't got a lot of space,
0:15:40 > 0:15:45and you can only do your best with what you've got.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48With kids, they make a mess anyways.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51TOBY SQUEALS
0:15:51 > 0:15:52Oh, Rex!
0:15:52 > 0:15:57For crying out loud. Where's the tissues?
0:15:57 > 0:16:00TOBY CRIES
0:16:00 > 0:16:02KNOCKING
0:16:02 > 0:16:05TOBY YELLS
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Daddy.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09TOBY SCREAMS
0:16:11 > 0:16:12Hi.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15What?
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Down.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Come on, then.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26The agreement requires them to make a clean play area for Toby,
0:16:26 > 0:16:27away from the dog.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29You ain't having that.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35'To be honest, it's a pokey, small, two-bed flat.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37'The carpet could do with another good going over,
0:16:37 > 0:16:41'but you ain't going to get that up much better.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45'It just seems like they're widening the goalposts to their advantage.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49'They're always finding faults, we know that for a fact.'
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Where's that...?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Scram.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56TOBY SHOUTS
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Obviously, you get your parenting skills from your own parents.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05We were getting to the point where we were, like,
0:17:05 > 0:17:12delving into our own pasts to see how our parents coped with us
0:17:12 > 0:17:17and how it affects us coping with our own children.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21My upbringing, it wasn't all too pleasant.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23You don't want to put your child
0:17:23 > 0:17:26through the same thing you went through.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30You can't get out, mate!
0:17:30 > 0:17:32You... Ah-ha!
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Yeah, dream on, son!
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Going to come eat your dinner, Toby?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Doggy, move.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48Concerns about Mike and Tiffany's ability to parent are increased
0:17:48 > 0:17:51by the news that Tiffany is pregnant.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Their unborn child is another new case for Suzanne.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02If the family home doesn't improve,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06I couldn't see a newborn going into that home at the moment.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08It's definitely a big risk.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12And at the moment, the parents can't see that.
0:18:16 > 0:18:17Three days later,
0:18:17 > 0:18:22Sally-Ann wants to see for herself how the agreement is progressing.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25BARKING
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- Hello.- Hiya.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- Nice and clean.- Thank you.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Hello, Mike. What are you doing, Toby?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34TOBY LAUGHS
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Shall we sit here, is that all right?
0:18:36 > 0:18:41- Shall we go through every point?- It's not 100%, but we're getting there.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- The stair gate was semi-up.- Have you got it, though, the stair gate?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47That's why the brackets are on the side of the door.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52OK. So that's on the go. Not quite done.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54So the actual gate itself is...?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56It's in there, cos Toby took it off.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- He took it off? How did he get it off?- Quite easy.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03So, what are you going to need to do to get it back on again?
0:19:03 > 0:19:06All you got to do, I need a bracket on down there.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09So, you're going to fit one to there, OK.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11You've got a screwdriver, have you?
0:19:11 > 0:19:14You're just going to screw it into the wall and just do that?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- Have you managed to wipe the floors in the kitchen?- Yes.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Did you manage to clean the bathroom floors?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Can I have a look?- Yes.- Good.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Did you buy duvet covers and sheets?
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- He used our duvet.- What did you use?
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- We just slept in our clothes. - Did you?- Yes.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41TOBY SHOUTS
0:19:41 > 0:19:46- Do not put the blame on us! - Do me a favour - shut up, please.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Can I have a quick word with you on your own in a minute? Please?
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- Me, now?- In a minute.- OK, yeah.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57It's about a certain person, which I will...one to one.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Suzanne can't do anything on her own, she works as part of a team.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03All right, she is stirring this the wrong way.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I've never liked her from day one. Never have done, never will,
0:20:06 > 0:20:07and I'm never going to.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09I support what Suzanne is doing.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Surely to God, I can turn around and say I don't want her help
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and ask for a different female social worker.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18I'm really sorry, Mike, but I can't give you another social worker.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Then I'll be taking this one further...- That's fine.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23I'll be contacting my local MP today.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I hope we can work on your relationship with each other.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- No, I'll be contacting my local MP today.- OK.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31I'm getting rid of her.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39'Suzanne's not doing anything wrong.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42'Not all families gel with their social worker.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44'Mike is blaming other people.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50'He's blaming just about anything he can than, actually,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54'almost to distract the real issue,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58'which is the fact that he is not able to parent his son
0:20:58 > 0:21:00'in a way which is good enough.'
0:21:00 > 0:21:01All righty?
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Mike needs to understand that Suzanne isn't making decisions in isolation,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08she's not doing that on her own,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11so she can't formulate a sort of, you know,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13her own one-track-mind plan.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16It's not possible when you've got a team of people
0:21:16 > 0:21:18working with a case like this.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20MUSIC: "SILENT NIGHT"
0:21:27 > 0:21:29In December, there's a case conference.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Professionals from health and education
0:21:33 > 0:21:36will join the social workers to raise increasing concerns
0:21:36 > 0:21:39about Toby in front of his parents.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48My name is Maggie.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I'm employed by Bristol City Council solely to chair these meetings,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54and this will be my only contact with the family.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58First of all, I want to know what it is the professionals, in particular,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02think is contributing to the situation as you find it.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05One of the things that I feel is a real problem here
0:22:05 > 0:22:07has been the defensiveness from Mike,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and we're seeing somebody who's been really quite hostile,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13been really unwilling to talk about change,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16and has been preoccupied with arguing with us,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19and that's stopped us from being able to talk
0:22:19 > 0:22:21about how things can be better.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25We would very much hope that Mike can hear the views of today
0:22:25 > 0:22:30and maybe consider better ways of trying to come up with a plan
0:22:30 > 0:22:34that he is willing to take on board, really.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Do you understand why Sally-Ann has made those comments?
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Yeah, but every time it seems like
0:22:39 > 0:22:42they put an obstacle in the way and get at me.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Putting that disagreement that you've got to one side,
0:22:44 > 0:22:50what about your parenting and your concern for Toby and how he is?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53The only concern I've got is his speech and his behaviour.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56If you tell him, "No," and you start telling him off
0:22:56 > 0:22:58for something, there are certain things.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02What you guys don't understand, he is an absolute handful.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03Do you think he gets frustrated
0:23:03 > 0:23:06because he can't make himself understood?
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Do you think his behaviour is down to that?
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Some of it is, but some of it ain't. When you tell him, "No,"
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- i.e. slam the door... - He just gets more frustrated.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16You know he can listen, but half the time, he'll carry on.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Nobody has done nothing till now when we're here.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23And that's why I get irated with you guys.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Thanks.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30It's absolutely crucial that we get the right service engaged,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33and that will require quite a significant commitment
0:23:33 > 0:23:35from Mike and Tiffany.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37I appreciate, Mike,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40that you do feel quite defensive about the allegations.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45But don't let that get in the way of actually
0:23:45 > 0:23:47accessing the services that he needs.
0:23:47 > 0:23:53He needs his parents to prioritise his needs over their own needs.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Sally-Ann, what's your view? Do we need a child protection plan?
0:23:56 > 0:23:58My view is yes.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02It's not sufficient for us to feel confident that Toby's needs
0:24:02 > 0:24:06are being protected and that he's not at risk of significant harm.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- OK, Susanne?- Yes, I agree.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Paul?- I also agree, yes.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15I agree, but what I'm concerned about is that Tiffany and Michael
0:24:15 > 0:24:18haven't taken seriously his developmental delay
0:24:18 > 0:24:23and accepted the recommendations of professionals.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25- OK.- I agree, also, yes.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29And the category of that risk I'm going to put down as neglect,
0:24:29 > 0:24:35because, in my view, I think that is the most overriding
0:24:35 > 0:24:38or the most prominent factor within this case.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43But that's notwithstanding that there have been bruises and that
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Tiffany has accepted or acknowledged
0:24:45 > 0:24:49that that's a result of her handling of him.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52So, key to this is going to be getting the right services in
0:24:52 > 0:24:56to support Mike and Tiffany in managing Toby's behaviour.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Because that behaviour management will then hopefully prevent
0:25:00 > 0:25:04any further need for that kind of handling from them. OK?
0:25:06 > 0:25:08'Doors closing.'
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Toby is now subject to a child protection plan.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21If the situation doesn't improve, the case could go to court
0:25:21 > 0:25:25and Toby be removed from Mike and Tiffany's care.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28# Row, row, row your boat
0:25:28 > 0:25:31# Gently down the stream
0:25:31 > 0:25:34# Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
0:25:34 > 0:25:36# Life is but a dream
0:25:36 > 0:25:39# Rock, rock, rock your boat
0:25:39 > 0:25:41# Gently down the stream
0:25:41 > 0:25:44# If you see a crocodile
0:25:44 > 0:25:45# Don't forget to scream. #
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Aargh!
0:25:47 > 0:25:48Good boy.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51The child protection plan means
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Suzanne keeps an even closer eye on the family...
0:25:55 > 0:25:59..and child health experts observe Toby at play sessions
0:25:59 > 0:26:03to help his behaviour and find out why he can't speak.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08I didn't start talking until I was quite late, same with Michael.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10It could be hereditary,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12it might not...
0:26:12 > 0:26:16but no-one can tell us for sure why he's not talking.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20- I was late talking. I didn't talk until I was...- Six.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22..six.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Erm...
0:26:24 > 0:26:27What they think, they can carry on thinking.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Again, you can't really tell social services,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- go and politely...- Off.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33..as much as I want to.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Do you want the cars or the ball?
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Toby, more cars!
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Look! It's the baby.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57It's raining.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Can you see?
0:26:59 > 0:27:01HE GRIZZLES
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Toby, would you like a drink?
0:27:04 > 0:27:06HE CRIES
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Stop.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12After 40 hours of assessment,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16the lead paediatrician shares the findings.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22In summary, then, he does chuck things around quite a lot,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25and I felt quite threatened by the missiles
0:27:25 > 0:27:27that were hurled around the room.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I think everybody feels the same way,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32even us, and we're his parents.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34That has to be taken into consideration
0:27:34 > 0:27:36in terms of the level of support he gets.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41His developmental age at the age of three and eight months
0:27:41 > 0:27:47is much more in the range of 12 to 24 months...
0:27:47 > 0:27:51so his needs are quite considerable.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53We've done some investigations
0:27:53 > 0:27:58to see if there's any underlying cause for his developmental delay,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and all the investigations have been negative so far.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07So, I think our feeling generally has been that
0:28:07 > 0:28:12Toby's developmental delay is part of his genetic inheritance.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17Both Tiffany and Michael had delayed language development,
0:28:17 > 0:28:23Tiffany was telling me, so this may well be part of a familial condition.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29However, we do have to acknowledge that there have been other issues
0:28:29 > 0:28:32about neglect, and those are being addressed
0:28:32 > 0:28:37- within the child protection process, aren't they?- Yes.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40- Good. Thanks, everyone, for coming. - Thank you.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Although the experts say Toby's delay is hereditary,
0:28:52 > 0:28:56the social workers are still worried about neglect.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58TOBY GRIZZLES
0:28:58 > 0:29:01After four months of intensive work,
0:29:01 > 0:29:07there's no sign of any improvement in how Toby's being looked after.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11The temper that they've seen on him is absolutely tame.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15They're not here 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18What they see when they are here is different things
0:29:18 > 0:29:20to when they're not here.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26Oi! Stop.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Don't pinch me, you monkey.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30You little...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Hello.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39HE CRIES
0:29:39 > 0:29:41That was unexpected.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45'One minute, he'll be playing nicely with some cars.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46'And the next minute,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49'he could be throwing them at you or hitting you with them.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53'He had chipped a bone in my wrist from where he had smacked me
0:29:53 > 0:29:54'with one of his cars.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58'I've had bite marks, pinch marks...
0:29:58 > 0:30:00'bruises, cuts.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04'I've said no to some chocolate just before bedtime one night
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'and he bit me and left a really sore mark
0:30:07 > 0:30:10'that stayed for months on end.'
0:30:14 > 0:30:15Oi!
0:30:16 > 0:30:19I told you to put them on tight. And that.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20Heads!
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Heads!
0:30:22 > 0:30:23Heads!
0:30:25 > 0:30:29The problem is, he's three and a half years old, he can't speak,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33he's not able to do basic things that children
0:30:33 > 0:30:37even a year younger than him are able to do.
0:30:37 > 0:30:42The advice we've been given from the medical profession is that
0:30:42 > 0:30:46a child like him has got about another six months
0:30:46 > 0:30:48before that window of opportunity
0:30:48 > 0:30:54to help him catch up with his peers will be lost. Erm...
0:30:54 > 0:30:58So I think as a multi-agency group working with this child,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00I think we have a responsibility
0:31:00 > 0:31:05to try and effect some change for him very quickly.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06No.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Calm down, please.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16With time pressing, Sallyanne wants to take the case to court.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20Only a judge can decide to remove Toby from his parents.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25What are you doing to Tigger?
0:31:27 > 0:31:30It's a huge process to take a case to court.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33These kinds of neglect cases are hard often to evidence,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37but overall, we have not reached a place where we feel these parents
0:31:37 > 0:31:40are managing to keep up a standard of care which is good enough.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44The carpet is still sodden. The place is very dirty.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46We can't go on. It can't go on.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57Before legal action can begin, events take an unexpected turn.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Tiffany is rushed to hospital
0:31:59 > 0:32:01with serious complications in her pregnancy.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04Hello!
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Faced with looking after Toby on his own, Mike agrees with Tiffany
0:32:08 > 0:32:13that Toby should go to a foster carer until she can come home.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18'Mike, he had no idea about what he was going to do with him tonight.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21'Cook, feed, put him to bed,
0:32:21 > 0:32:25'be aware of his emotional needs, be protective towards him.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29'We have real concerns that he wouldn't be able to do that.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33'Of all the work that we've done with this family,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36'we have not been able to see and evidence the fact that
0:32:36 > 0:32:39'Mike is willing to do these things.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41'It was always Tiffany that was doing it.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43'What we're now looking at is a position where
0:32:43 > 0:32:47'Mike could have the sole care of Toby. That's, for me, too risky.'
0:32:52 > 0:32:54OK. Did you bring your stuff?
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- Is that everything he needs for tonight?- Yeah.- Lovely.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Have you talked to him and told him
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- that he's going to stay with a lady called Jane tonight?- No.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Do you want to just explain to him...?
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Oi. You're off with them, mate. All right?
0:33:08 > 0:33:10I'll see you tomorrow.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11HE CRIES
0:33:11 > 0:33:13It's all right, sweetie.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Mummy went to see the doctor today, darling.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Ssh, it's all right.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22It's all right.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25You are going to go to sleep tonight,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28and when you wake up tomorrow, you can see Daddy tomorrow.
0:33:28 > 0:33:34And you're going to go and stay with a lovely lady called Jane.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Honestly, you've got no chance of calming him down now.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40He's going to be like that now all night.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- I don't see why you've talked me into it.- Thank you for agreeing...
0:33:44 > 0:33:46No, I haven't agreed to it yet, cos I've signed nothing.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49I just don't what to talk and raise voices in front of Toby.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- He's already upset.- I've signed nothing, have I? So it's not agreed.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Can I ask that you ring your solicitor and ask them
0:33:55 > 0:33:59- to deal with this urgently? - Don't be an idiot all your life.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00Sorry to bother you.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04I've got a situation that social services have put me in.
0:34:04 > 0:34:05TOBY SOBS
0:34:05 > 0:34:08They've basically spoken me into giving them consent
0:34:08 > 0:34:11and taking my son off me for one night.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Indirectly, they're saying they don't trust me with him.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Can you tell me if that's illegal or not? Right.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24So yet again, I'm getting judged?
0:34:24 > 0:34:27All right. Cheers. Bye bye.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I'm seriously reconsidering... not giving you consent.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45But you were OK when you came in the car and when we got out
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- and when we were out here...- There's still something iffy going on.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50TOBY CRIES
0:34:50 > 0:34:55What I would like to suggest is that we go with what we agreed for now.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57No. You want him out of my care.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Try and stay calm with this. OK?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- Stay calm?! - This is extremely serious.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07- What grounds have you got to take him?- We're worried about him staying with you on his own tonight,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09we would like to take him into foster care...
0:35:09 > 0:35:11He's my son. He's staying with me.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- So you're now withdrawing your content?- Basically.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- You're withdrawing your consent? - More or less. At the minute.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19We can't do more or less, Mike.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21We either have your consent or we don't.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24At the end of the day, he's my son.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26- If I want him to stay with me, he will.- OK.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30- I've got no option.- Can I ask you to hold on here for a little bit longer
0:35:30 > 0:35:32while I go and make a couple of phone calls?
0:35:34 > 0:35:37He's being really quite unhelpful to that child.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Mike, can I have a word with you
0:36:02 > 0:36:05away from Toby just for two minutes, please?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08TOBY CRIES
0:36:10 > 0:36:12He's going to want to stay with you, isn't he?
0:36:16 > 0:36:20You have been given every opportunity today to try and avert...
0:36:20 > 0:36:23- And you haven't worked with me. - ..to avert a problem,
0:36:23 > 0:36:27and now we are in a situation...
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- I'm not saying I've got grounds to take him off you...- You haven't.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32- ..and I'm not trying to do that. - Yes, you are.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36I was trying to reach an agreement with you. In the absence of us
0:36:36 > 0:36:39being able to reach that agreement, the responsibility is yours.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Either way, what happens now is that we are going to put
0:36:42 > 0:36:44this matter before a court,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46and they will make a decision about
0:36:46 > 0:36:49whether or not he comes into foster care.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I'll see you guys, Broadwalk CIPS, in court.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Thank you for your cooperation, thank you for your support,
0:37:00 > 0:37:02it's what you wanted, you're in court.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09He's withdrawn his consent and he's gone home with Toby now.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12We're going to have to get this into court ASAP.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16We can't manage the risk when there's no cooperation whatsoever.
0:37:16 > 0:37:17Can you ring Tiffany,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20just to let her know what Mike has said tonight?
0:37:20 > 0:37:24I feel so worried about him going home with him tonight.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27In the bag that he sent for Toby just now,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31there was a change of T-shirt and a water bottle.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35- Tiffany told him what to take? - No nappies, no toys, no...
0:37:35 > 0:37:36nothing.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48As they can't get a court hearing that evening,
0:37:48 > 0:37:51Sallyanne asked the police to visit the home.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56They find Toby awake at 10pm but he is not in distress.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13The next morning, the nursery reports new concerns.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Since Dad brought him in yesterday and today, his nappy wasn't changed,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20he smelled of urine. His shoes were the wrong way round.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25Obviously, Toby probably put them on, he can put his shoes on, but he didn't look out for that.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Also, he didn't have lunch when he came in today
0:38:27 > 0:38:30and only when they asked Angie, did he have lunch?
0:38:30 > 0:38:32He said, "No, we didn't give him any."
0:38:32 > 0:38:36- And he's supposed to have lunch before he comes to nursery? - Yes, he does.- OK.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42That afternoon, the court issues an emergency protection order
0:38:42 > 0:38:47considering Toby to be at risk of immediate harm.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51Susanne arranges for him to go into foster care for five days.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05After three days, Tiffany is unexpectedly discharged from hospital.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10But social workers have decided that Toby should remain in care
0:39:10 > 0:39:13and only see his parents under supervision.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18You're enjoying your juice too much, aren't you?
0:39:23 > 0:39:25So, you've been enjoying nursery?
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Have you been going?
0:39:30 > 0:39:31TOBY MURMURS TO HIMSELF
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Look at Mummy.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Look at Mummy, please.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Mummy misses her cuddles.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Yeah, she does.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Oi. Oi, cheeky monkey.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Cheeky monkey.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Oi. Oi. Be nice to Mummy.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00No.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02No? Why not?
0:40:06 > 0:40:11I think he's eager to get to school. Off you go to nursery.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15See you later, bye. Bye-bye, buddy!
0:40:15 > 0:40:18HE SCREAMS
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Bye-bye, darling.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Come on, you. Come on, you, eh?
0:40:36 > 0:40:37SHE SNIFFLES
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Paul must break the news that they want to extend the care order.
0:40:45 > 0:40:51- Hello, Mike. How do you think it went today?- OK.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Quite difficult, isn't it, to say goodbye?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57I know that you care about him.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Quite difficult. That's an understatement, Paul.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03We are going to go back to court and submit reports and say
0:41:03 > 0:41:06what we would like to happen from there is.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08And what are you looking at happening?
0:41:08 > 0:41:11What we're looking at happening at the moment,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14we're looking at the situation as it is. We would like...
0:41:14 > 0:41:16No, I'm not giving that consent on Thursday.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18How long are you looking at keeping him?
0:41:18 > 0:41:21What we'd be asking for is an interim care order
0:41:21 > 0:41:23and then we'd be looking at what we think
0:41:23 > 0:41:25is the better ongoing situation for Toby.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Whether that's a short period in foster care
0:41:27 > 0:41:29whilst things get sorted out for you guys,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32or whether we feel that's a more permanent solution.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37To be honest, I feel like I've been punished for being pregnant and ill.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Yeah, that's exactly what's happening.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42This wouldn't have happened if I was at home
0:41:42 > 0:41:43to be able to look after him.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48The standard of care before the pregnancy was not up
0:41:48 > 0:41:50to a standard that was acceptable so...
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Yeah, we were getting on top of it.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55It wasn't good enough.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59There's really no measurable change and we don't feel this is acceptable.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01That's why we're in court.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16He is staying in foster care for eight weeks.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Obviously, we're waiting for an e-mail or a phone call
0:42:21 > 0:42:24with contact times and this and that.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28It's only one hour long which, in my eyes, ain't even long enough.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30I saw him yesterday... yesterday?
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Yesterday for an hour.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36Like Michael said, it's not long enough.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46He can't understand why his mummy and daddy
0:42:46 > 0:42:48aren't taking him home with them.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53It hurts me to see him like that.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08A few days later, Tiffany is readmitted to hospital.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10She is 26 weeks pregnant
0:43:10 > 0:43:13but is advised to stay in until the baby is born.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19Pre-eclampsia can be highly dangerous, especially if you get
0:43:19 > 0:43:25what's called eclampsia which is like epileptic fits but worse,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28and they can be fatal.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31Which they are worried that could happen.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35That's why they're trying to keep me in for the duration.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37When you're already stressed out
0:43:37 > 0:43:40because of what's going on at home, that doesn't help.
0:43:40 > 0:43:45At the end of the day, I've got to think about the baby first.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53I don't really get my hopes up
0:43:53 > 0:43:56because if it's another one, it's another one.
0:43:56 > 0:43:57If it survives, it survives.
0:43:57 > 0:44:01Toby's my seventh and my only surviving,
0:44:01 > 0:44:03so I just take it as it comes now.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10I've had, what? Three stillborns.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15One here, one with an ex and one in hospital.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18Four miscarriages.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26Toby has been in care for 10 days.
0:44:26 > 0:44:30The new court-order allows his parents to see him for three hours a week.
0:44:30 > 0:44:35Mike's contact is being assessed by the guardian,
0:44:35 > 0:44:38a child expert appointed by the court to help determine
0:44:38 > 0:44:40whether Toby should return home.
0:44:40 > 0:44:46Have you still got your coat on? Good boy. Go and get Dad.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48Hey, mate!
0:44:50 > 0:44:52Have they said owt?
0:44:52 > 0:44:56Speak to you in a bit. Bye.
0:44:56 > 0:44:57Hey.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05Hey, mate.
0:45:14 > 0:45:20WHISTLING SOUNDS FROM TOY
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Oh!
0:45:40 > 0:45:47TOBY HUMS AND MOANS TO HIMSELF
0:45:58 > 0:46:04We're going in five minutes to Toby's nursery, OK?
0:46:11 > 0:46:16MILITARY VOICES FROM TOY
0:46:16 > 0:46:20Who's a clever boy? You put your bag on.
0:46:20 > 0:46:25MILITARY VOICES CONTINUE
0:46:45 > 0:46:50- Have you said bye-bye to Daddy? Come in so he can see you.- See you, mate.
0:46:50 > 0:46:56- Your bag.- Oh, bag! Well-remembered, Dad.
0:46:56 > 0:47:02- And your coat as well. - Is that your coat?
0:47:06 > 0:47:09- How do you think contact went today?- All right.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15Some parts of it were good, other parts I thought, as a parent,
0:47:15 > 0:47:19you could probably make a bit more effort, if you like, to interact.
0:47:19 > 0:47:23To get down on his level, play with him on the floor, suggest some toys,
0:47:23 > 0:47:26bring some things out for him, that sort of thing.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28I wrote down in my notes that it was 45 minutes
0:47:28 > 0:47:30before you got up off the couch.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33He tended to lead things very much himself,
0:47:33 > 0:47:36which is OK for some of the time, but I think you may get
0:47:36 > 0:47:41more interaction and stimulation with him if you're kind of directing it
0:47:41 > 0:47:46a bit as well and talking to him and making lots of eye contact and so on.
0:47:46 > 0:47:50Those things can really help children develop and move things forward.
0:47:50 > 0:47:51Right.
0:47:51 > 0:47:55But there were parts of it which were positive, I thought.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04BABY CRIES
0:48:18 > 0:48:20Two months before her due date,
0:48:20 > 0:48:23the health risks to both Tiffany and baby
0:48:23 > 0:48:28become so severe that she undergoes an emergency Caesarean section.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33People saying, congratulations.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36Yeah, it is all right to say that but till we get her out
0:48:36 > 0:48:41of intensive care, we don't know exactly what's wrong with her.
0:48:41 > 0:48:4731 weeks and three days, she is very, very tiny.
0:48:47 > 0:48:51She's less than about four pounds in weight. She's got to be.
0:49:11 > 0:49:15Two months later, the baby has left hospital
0:49:15 > 0:49:19but the court has determined that like her brother,
0:49:19 > 0:49:21she should be placed in foster care.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35The baby girl is brought to a neutral location to see her parents.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39Tiffany's turned up alone.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44I'm not going out with Michael any more.
0:49:44 > 0:49:49We got in a big row over something and he hit me
0:49:49 > 0:49:52and left a big bruise on my shoulder.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56So everything is just up in the air at the moment.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06It's the first time in Tiffany's life that she's been alone.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13I've got my support worker helping me
0:50:13 > 0:50:17basically get my parenting skills up to where they should be,
0:50:17 > 0:50:21but I've been diagnosed by the doctors with depression.
0:50:23 > 0:50:28So I've been put on medication for that.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32It is getting a bit too much.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36It does put some stupid thoughts into your head.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40If it wasn't for my friends supporting me,
0:50:40 > 0:50:43I don't think that I'd be sat here now.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50Give me a kiss? Yeah?
0:50:55 > 0:50:56In we goes.
0:51:04 > 0:51:08I've had to move to a different area away from Michael.
0:51:12 > 0:51:19Haven't heard anything from him. On the one hand, that's kind of good.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24On the other hand, I was with him for, like, six years.
0:51:33 > 0:51:37And Roisin's gone into temporary foster care like Toby
0:51:37 > 0:51:42but into a different home, so they've been separated.
0:51:43 > 0:51:47I'm not sure if they've met each other yet or not.
0:51:47 > 0:51:52On certain terms, I do feel a bit more confident that, yes,
0:51:52 > 0:51:55I could do things differently this time.
0:51:55 > 0:52:01On the other hand, I'm afraid that I would make mistakes.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15The social workers have a new challenge,
0:52:15 > 0:52:19to decide whether Tiffany is capable of being a single parent.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27I hope that Tiffany can do it.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30It makes you nearly feel a failure because she feels a failure.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33You kind of feel you've failed in your job to try to help
0:52:33 > 0:52:36provide for the needs of their children.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40She does say, "I don't know who I am.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42"I've been controlled by so many people
0:52:42 > 0:52:46"and now finally I'm trying to be who I am."
0:52:46 > 0:52:49She says, "I know I'm a mum and I need to be that,"
0:52:49 > 0:52:51but in some ways, she hasn't quite found herself yet.
0:52:51 > 0:52:56I've expressed very clearly to her, that if I have to stand up in the end
0:52:56 > 0:53:01of this care proceedings and argue that the children should remain
0:53:01 > 0:53:04in foster care, it would be very heart-breaking for me as well
0:53:04 > 0:53:09because I generally would like to think that she can care for her children.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16One, two, three!
0:53:28 > 0:53:31Toby has now been in foster care for three months.
0:53:31 > 0:53:36There are signs he is beginning to thrive.
0:53:36 > 0:53:40- Big fire engine!- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44His speech is coming on a little bit more.
0:53:44 > 0:53:50He's been a lot more happier, behaved a bit more.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53He's not been as aggressive which has been nice.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02To see him thrive is so nice to see.
0:54:02 > 0:54:07It's just such a beautiful thing to see, to see him laugh, see him smile.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09See his humour develop.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11He was cross with the whole world around him,
0:54:11 > 0:54:16probably angry that they wouldn't meet his needs.
0:54:16 > 0:54:18He can communicate with you now.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21He can tell you what's wrong with him, what he wants.
0:54:21 > 0:54:23He can make signs.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26That's why you go in to do social work,
0:54:26 > 0:54:29because you can make some changes.
0:54:29 > 0:54:34Toby is tidying and then going to nursery in Nikki's car. OK?
0:54:37 > 0:54:44High five! Good boy! Mummy will see you later. Mind your fingers.
0:54:58 > 0:55:03In June, eight months after social workers first got involved,
0:55:03 > 0:55:05Tiffany makes a monumental decision.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16I've been doing quite a lot of thinking lately.
0:55:18 > 0:55:23I've come up with a conclusion that it would be better for the kids
0:55:23 > 0:55:26to go into adoption because...
0:55:29 > 0:55:34..they'll be able to get the better care that they need.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41It was a very hard decision to make.
0:55:42 > 0:55:47I didn't really want to make it but I had to.
0:55:48 > 0:55:49Press the button!
0:55:49 > 0:55:53# The wheels on the bus go round and round
0:55:53 > 0:55:56# Round and round, round and round. #
0:56:12 > 0:56:16It's really amazing, what Tiffany has done for her children
0:56:16 > 0:56:19and also for herself.
0:56:19 > 0:56:24I'm very sure that she will grasp this as an opportunity to sort out
0:56:24 > 0:56:30her past, to really get herself on track and make healthy relationships.
0:56:35 > 0:56:39This case will probably stay with me for my whole life
0:56:39 > 0:56:41because I will always think about Toby
0:56:41 > 0:56:44and will hope that he is doing all right now.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54Later on in life, the children will see
0:56:54 > 0:56:58that what I done was for the best of them.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04Love them, so very much.
0:57:05 > 0:57:10There won't be a day or let alone a minute
0:57:10 > 0:57:12that I wouldn't be thinking about them.
0:57:15 > 0:57:20They will have a happier life where they're going to go.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23Finished. All done! Well done, Toby!
0:58:01 > 0:58:03# Twinkle, twinkle, little star
0:58:03 > 0:58:05# How I wonder what you are. #
0:58:05 > 0:58:08Next week on Protecting Our Children:
0:58:08 > 0:58:11What has happened for Marva is absolutely incredible.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14It's the stuff that we as social workers hope.
0:58:17 > 0:58:23If you want to find out more about the daily lives of social workers, go to...
0:58:26 > 0:58:30..and follow the links to the Open University.
0:58:43 > 0:58:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:45 > 0:58:47E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk