Many parents involved with social services or the Family Court build constructive relationships with their social worker or CAFCASS guardian.
But sometimes, communication breaks down; perhaps you feel misunderstood, unfairly treated, or believe reports don’t reflect your progress.
The good news is: while you can’t demand a replacement automatically, you can raise legitimate concerns and request a change if there are serious issues of bias, inaccuracy, or professionalism.
This guide explains how to do so calmly, lawfully, and effectively, with the help of your solicitor.
Understanding Each Professional’s Role
Social Worker (Local Authority)
Your social worker represents the local authority. Their job is to:
- Assess your child’s welfare and home environment.
- Recommend support or interventions.
- Write reports and updates for meetings or court.
- Implement care or supervision plans.
They must follow statutory duties under the Children Act 1989 and the local authority’s policies.
Children’s Guardian (CAFCASS)
The guardian is independent from the council. They are appointed by the Family Court through CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) to:
- Represent the child’s best interests.
- Review the local authority’s evidence.
- Provide an independent report and recommendations to the judge.
While they work with social workers, their duty is to the court and child, not the local authority.
Key Point: Social workers are part of the case; guardians are independent, so the process for raising concerns about each is different.
Common Reasons Parents Request a Change
- Inaccurate or biased reporting
- Lack of communication or missed visits
- Inconsistent or conflicting advice
- Breakdown of trust or poor professional boundaries
- Perceived conflict of interest
It’s important to distinguish between disagreement and professional misconduct.
Simply disagreeing with recommendations usually isn’t enough for a replacement, but proven bias or errors can justify formal review.
How to Raise Concerns About a Social Worker
Step 1: Speak Directly (If Possible)
Start by calmly explaining what’s wrong. Sometimes misunderstandings arise from poor communication rather than bad practice.
Example: “I’m concerned that the report doesn’t reflect what was agreed in our meeting. Could we review this together?”
Step 2: Escalate to the Team Manager
If things don’t improve, contact the social worker’s team manager in writing.
Include:
- Specific examples (dates, statements, reports).
- The impact on your case or your child.
- What you want to happen (e.g. review, correction, or reassignment).
Step 3: Make a Formal Complaint
If the issue remains unresolved, use the Local Authority’s Children’s Services Complaints Procedure.
Your solicitor can help draft a professional complaint that focuses on facts, not emotion.
In serious cases, the council may allocate a different social worker to rebuild trust and ensure fairness.
How to Raise Concerns About a CAFCASS Guardian
CAFCASS has its own complaints process. You can:
- Email CAFCASS directly outlining your concerns; or
- Ask your solicitor to raise the issue formally with the court.
Complaints can cover:
- Factual inaccuracies in reports;
- Failure to meet with you or your child properly;
- Unfair conclusions without evidence; or
- Unprofessional conduct.
If the problem affects the fairness of proceedings, your solicitor can ask the court to appoint a new guardian.
This is rare, but it can happen where trust has completely broken down or the guardian’s impartiality is in question.
Legal Note: The court’s main concern will always be the child’s welfare and whether a change would delay or disrupt proceedings.
Tips for Handling Concerns Professionally
Keep everything in writing.
Emails and letters create a clear record and prevent misunderstandings.
Stay calm and factual.
Avoid personal criticism; focus on the issue, not the individual.
Provide evidence.
If a report is inaccurate, point to specific examples or attach supporting documents.
Involve your solicitor early.
They can contact managers or CAFCASS directly and ensure your complaint is taken seriously.
Continue to cooperate.
Even while raising concerns, keep attending meetings and following agreed plans. This shows you’re focused on your child’s welfare.
What Not to Do
| Don’t | Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Refuse to meet your social worker | Continue engaging, but with legal support present |
| Post complaints online | Keep communication confidential and professional |
| Accuse without evidence | Document specific examples calmly |
| Stop contact or meetings | Attend as scheduled to avoid negative perceptions |
| Delay seeking advice | Involve your solicitor early to handle it correctly |
What a Solicitor Can Do for You
A specialist family solicitor can:
- Review reports for accuracy;
- Draft formal complaints or letters to management;
- Attend meetings to ensure professionalism and fairness;
- Apply to court (if appropriate) to request a new guardian or change in case management.
At ASA Solicitors, we understand how damaging poor professional relationships can be, and we act quickly to restore fairness, balance, and communication.
You have a right to fair treatment from everyone involved in your case, including social workers and guardians.
If the relationship breaks down or you’re being misrepresented, you can act calmly, legally, and effectively to protect your family’s interests.
Handled correctly, raising concerns can actually strengthen your position by showing professionalism and commitment to fairness.
If you believe your social worker or CAFCASS guardian is acting unfairly or unprofessionally, contact our experienced family and child law solicitors today.
We’ll review your case, draft formal complaints or applications where necessary, and help ensure your family is treated lawfully and respectfully.
Call ASA Solicitors on 01274 900 400
Email info@asa.co.uk
FAQs
Can I request a different social worker?
Yes. If you have serious concerns about bias, inaccuracy, or misconduct, you can raise the issue with the social worker’s team manager or file a formal complaint through Children’s Services.
Can I change my child’s CAFCASS guardian?
It is possible, but rare. If the guardian is acting unfairly or the relationship has completely broken down, your solicitor can raise the issue with the Family Court and request a replacement.
What are valid reasons to ask for a change?
Common reasons include factual errors in reports, lack of communication, missed visits, unprofessional conduct, or perceived bias that affects your case. Disagreements alone aren’t usually enough.
How can a solicitor help with social worker complaints?
ASA Solicitors can review case documents, draft formal complaints, attend meetings with you, and contact managers or the court directly to ensure your concerns are taken seriously.
Will complaining affect my family court case?
Handled professionally, raising concerns shows you are proactive and focused on fairness — especially if you continue to cooperate and follow your child’s care plan during the process.
