Hi MsTikky

Sorry to have you here but glad you came when you have as it sounds like you still have your kids for now...

Now as thisisgood has stated the dept are the law, they can get an order today, well on a week day with no evidence and have your children removed the minute you refuse or deny issues brought to you...and you'll have a fight on your hands to get them back...ontop of having to file in affidavit material to be heard...take it from me I know!

So please MsTikky (I'm a born kiwi and love your user name...LOL)ask to have their concerns in writing forwarded onto you and the outcome of any investigations and assessments also in writing forwarded onto you as this is what you are obviously currently on. Tell them you need this for your lawyer regardless of having one. Get everything in writing...don't refuse help, but don't accept or sign anything either. You just ask for their concerns and outcomes of the investigations and assessments in writing to forward onto your solicitor and no more chatty chat with them...very good you had a witness, make sure always that's the case too!

Advise for all parents above when first involved with the department, never see them alone, tape record the meeting even by mobile if you have to and have up to 2 support/advocacy persons with you on the initial meeting. After that you ask to have every thing else in writing...they must give it to you, if you have to write and ask for this to be forwarded to you in writing. You play the dept according to the law and their safety practice manual, that's how you can beat them at their own game!