[hiddensecrets]

I am asking this question because something weird happened today:

About 3 weeks ago a young man (17) moved in (will call him A) with us as he had no where else to go after his mum kicked him out and his aunt basically used him for slave labor and wouldnt let him have any freedom etc.

Today I was on the phone to my super company and my mobile rang. DH answered it and they asked for me but I was busy. So they then asked to speak to A.

When I finished my phone call, A was already finished. He said that it was from DCP and they asked him if he could go live with any other family members (he had already gone through this with centrelink and was approved for living away from home). When he said no, they then demanded to know his mothers address and phone number (they asked for his mum's details using her name). Then they hung up.

I tried ringing them back, and the receptionist sent an email to everyone but so far we have no call back.

A rang centrelink to see if they knew anything about it as they were the ones that signed off on his living away from home allowance. The social worker (who gave us her direct line) said centrelink dont do that, and that the report would have come from someone else.

We are now wondering if someone has reported him or myself to DCP (as they didnt talk to my DH who answered the phone)....

Do DCP make weird phone calls like this when you have been reported? or do they generally just turn up?

[erindiv]

Was it a genuine call from DCP? Or could it have been someone from his family?

edit: Sorry, just saw the bit about calling them back. I guess you would assume it was the aunt that reported you? I have known of someone who had DCP just show up.

This post has been edited by erindiv: 21/01/2013, 06:58 PM

[JustBeige]

My understanding (no experience with) is that it has to be a fairly severe complaint OR they are finally acting after a series of complaints about the same thing - especially with a child of his age.

Weird that they didnt know his mothers address and phone number though. I would expect that DCP would have those details already.

Next time get their full name, title and extension number. Then ring the DCP and find out if they are a true person.

I have to wonder if its a dodgy family member trying to track him or his mother down also.


ETA: Is he working or on newstart or the like or is he still a student?

This post has been edited by JustBeige: 21/01/2013, 07:06 PM

[hiddensecrets]

THe thing that got me was that the number that called me was the reception number. If it was legit (I am now wondering if someone was "borrowing" their phone to call and was playing with us as the aunt plays dirty) wouldnt it have come from the case workers number which wouldnt be the actual reception number???

This is all so confusing but they will have a fight on their hands if they try to go through with it. I have nothing to hide. A has nothing to hide.

Apparently the aunt has done this before.

[Kismama]

Just showed up here.

We weren't home so they left a card. I called. I went in. They sent a letter to say all was well.

[hiddensecrets]

My understanding (no experience with) is that it has to be a fairly severe complaint OR they are finally acting after a series of complaints about the same thing - especially with a child of his age.

Weird that they didnt know his mothers address and phone number though. I would expect that DCP would have those details already.

Next time get their full name, title and extension number. Then ring the DCP and find out if they are a true person.

I have to wonder if its a dodgy family member trying to track him or his mother down also.


ETA: Is he working or on newstart or the like or is he still a student?

He is a student. There would not have been a series of complaints unless they were all from his aunt, or they got other people involved on a bogus claim.

Its actually kind of freaking me out.

His dad is mentally ill but we called to see what he knew and all he could say was get a VRO against the aunt as she has done this before.

[lifehacker]

What is DCP?

[Guest_Dinah_Harris_*]

Department of child protection?

[hiddensecrets]

Department of child protection?

Bingo.

A said they didnt give him their name either, and just said they were from DCP. That in its self was weird.

DH cant remember if a name was given.

[Bwok~Bwok]

No not weird - if she's done it before there will be a file.

I had my 5 year old GNiece stay with my for 2 weeks. DCP called just to verify with ME that I was ok with her being here, how I would go about looking after her because I work full time Etc etc

You'll find that's why they want to talk to you. They may even want to do a visit.