Bring my daughter home

Aim: I need to pay a barrister for consultation, to build s to get case to challenge unjust arrangements for the care of my daughter.

Hi, my daughter went through early years trauma and is experiencing severe unhappiness and insecurity. She currently lives with dad, but does not feel safe or cared for properly. She has been expose to harmful behaviour. I have been through family court, but justice was not carried out for my family. We were separated, my daughter and I. She did not want this and I tried my best to prevent it. Unfortunately for us, for justice, the dads narrative was believed and he gained custody. I have been her sole carer and a good mum, through some very complex difficulties for us, from birth to 7.5 years. This separation and limited contact is making us suffer. My daughter asks to come home continuously but dad will not allow it. I wish to return to court. I feel fail by the justice system and fearful of returning, but I must at least try to get the best family law advice I can possibly get. Legal Aid is complex and made more complicated by my position. Consultations with lay solicitors are not producing any further action or positive moves toward court, mainly due to the Legal Aid setbacks and merits system.. I have tried for months to secure representation to challenge the current arrangement,  as there have been reasons to do so ongoing. It has been just over a year since my daughter was 'removed' ( a term the courts used!?). Meanwhile my daughters health and wellbeing are suffering but her dad will not admit he cannot take proper care of her. (This is not about wellbeing, but control) She has signs of complex emotional/behavioral symptoms/PTSD. Low self esteem, emotional issues and physical signs presenting as not being or feeling safe, in control or cared for/regarded. The local authorities will not act in my daughters favour, (as they are tied to Family Court judges decision), unless a threshold is met. There have been several and ongoing concerns since May 2023, red flags, but no further actions taken by LA. I need the best advice around this and for solid, no holes representation. I need advice on understanding my childs and my rights and how to go through court effectively. I've been out of my depth with the system and the last time around was so emotionally entangled to my daughters experiences, (without proper signposting or support), that that must have gone against me? Some serious ongoing concerns were raised, of my daughter in her dads care, but they were not taken seriously by school and LA, to warrant intervention at home. Even though I strove for support LA did not provide us with the support to help us work together and stay together as a family in our community.  This has had devastating consequences for my child, for the both of us, and for our family and friends network. I have lost my treasured child and the routine and purpose she gifted me. I am a capable, practical, hardworking mum that has put my daughter at the front and centre of my priorities. Her joy and energy is what I miss and not just at home, but her spark and trust for life, which seems diminished. The current arrangement is not in the interests of my daughter, it is eroding her sense of self and self worth. She always wished to reside with me and has not changed her mind. The dad has not been honest about his intentions or behaviour from the outset and boundaries, safety nets are lacking. The court did not acknowledge the history in light of my daughters own concerns and behaviours, I believe he continues to evade detection for his current and past offences. Everyday is filled with pain and anxiety for what has happened to us, to my daughter, who seems lost when I see her for the very short time of 3hrs per month. This is not healthy but damaging on our sense of things, often rushed, eating together, playing, relaxing, being together has been made stressfull. Please support me through court. If I cannot try to make this happen for the wellbeing and safety of my daughter then I have failed as a mother. I have no idea where to start.m but funds would help to raise my concerns and source the best possible advice. I am neurodivergent and fearful of the system as a result of what has happened. Please support us to achieve the best possible outcome for my daughter. Put children first. Listen to them. Honour their wishes, please help me bring my daughter home.

Thankyou very much for taking your time to read this. I may have said too much, but what I speak is truth from a lived experience and I am appealing to you all for support in any way possible. Eternal Gratitude

• Miss Mousey

This project successfully funded on 5th August 2024