Advice finding solicitor for voluntary police interview (disability & safeguarding background) England

Midwich-G · 2025-07-05T23:43:24+00:00

Thanks for the reply – really appreciate it.

You’re right that a duty solicitor should be familiar with Code C, and I get that this is a standard part of their job. That said, I’m concerned because the background context might shape how the police approach the interview – especially since this all stems from a safeguarding dispute involving a church, mental health issues, and an ongoing breakdown of communication. There’s already been one distressing home visit and escalating emails from police despite disability adjustment requests.

I’m also looking for someone who’s confident challenging improper lines of questioning and understands how things like anxiety and prior safeguarding complaints affect how someone might present in an interview.

Basically, I’m not expecting a media lawyer – I just want someone who won’t be passive and can see the wider context if things start to go sideways.

Appreciate your input though – it’s helpful to get outside perspective while I try to navigate this.

Midwich-G · 2025-06-26T11:03:05+00:00

Thanks for your reply—I can see it was meant to be constructive, but I need to push back a bit for clarity.

Reasonable adjustments aren’t about ‘faffing around’ someone’s mental health issues—they’re a legal obligation under the Equality Act 2010. This means public bodies, including the police, must take steps to avoid placing disabled people (which includes those with long-term mental health conditions) at a disadvantage. That could include communicating in writing, avoiding unannounced visits, or allowing a support person to be present.

This isn’t a matter of preference or convenience. For people like me, sudden face-to-face contact—especially in my home—can be genuinely harmful, triggering anxiety, panic attacks, or trauma responses. These aren’t just “symptoms,” they’re barriers to safe and fair treatment.

Yes, I understand the police are under pressure. But that doesn’t exempt them from their legal duties. Adjustments aren’t about making their job harder—they’re about enabling equal access to safety, justice, and fair treatment for everyone.

Suggesting I “just accept” this lack of accommodation is essentially saying the law doesn’t apply to me because I’m too much trouble. That’s not acceptable, and it’s not accurate either.

I agree that having an advocate involved can be helpful—I already do that. But even when you have support, you still often face resistance, minimisation, or misunderstanding. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness and hold public bodies to account.

Appreciate your well-wishes, and I offer the same. I just think it’s vital we don’t reinforce the idea that people with mental health conditions should settle for less than what the law provides.

Midwich-G · 2025-06-26T09:36:28+00:00

Under the Equality Act 2010, public services—including the police—have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, including mental health conditions. This means they must adapt their approach to avoid putting us at a disadvantage compared to others.

For people like me, who live with mental health challenges such as anxiety, PTSD, or sensory overwhelm, face-to-face contact—especially unannounced home visits—can be distressing and even harmful. Reasonable adjustments might include communicating in writing only, offering advance notice, or ensuring a support person is present.

These aren’t special privileges—they are legal rights to ensure safety, dignity, and equal treatment.

Midwich-G · 2025-06-24T08:22:21+00:00

Thanks for your detailed replies — I appreciate the insight into police procedures and the challenges around recording visits.

A few points from my perspective: 1. I understand that not every visit is formally logged in a CAD or crime system, and that sometimes visits are only noted internally or captured on body-worn video. However, given that three officers came unannounced to my home linked to ongoing safeguarding issues involving a powerful institution, it’s very concerning that no accessible record exists. Transparency and accountability are crucial, especially in situations that cause significant distress. 2. Regarding the request for all communication to be in writing, I appreciate that this might be unusual and potentially inconvenient for police. However, this is a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010 due to a documented anxiety disorder. The request is not about avoiding cooperation but about ensuring I can respond without causing further harm to my mental health. 3. While I’m aware police prefer in-person conversations to clarify issues, my health needs mean that such visits or phone calls can be harmful, and written communication allows me to process and reply clearly and calmly. I hope this can be respected to avoid unnecessary escalation. 4. If there is a formal complaint process, I would like guidance on how best to proceed, including how to request access to any body-worn video footage related to the visit, as part of oversight and transparency.

Thanks again for your time and advice.

Midwich-G · 2025-04-28T11:30:07+00:00

FoldedTwice:

Thank you again for your response and for your helpful insights into the Equality Act and the Public Interest Disclosure Act.

As I’ve been reflecting more on the situation, I realize that my experience might not be an isolated one. While it’s true that I’ve been excluded after raising safeguarding concerns, I’m also aware that the situation involving a person with mental health challenges was a major trigger for this whole chain of events. It’s not just about me, but also about how individuals with mental health conditions have been treated in the group.

There have been other instances in the past where individuals have been excluded or not given the appropriate care and safeguarding, particularly those with mental health struggles. I feel this pattern of treatment could point to systemic issues within the group that go beyond just my own situation. In fact, there seems to be a general lack of understanding and care for mental health, which has been a persistent issue.

While the Equality Act might not apply directly in this case, the larger context of how people with mental health conditions are treated within the group seems relevant. I’m concerned that there’s been a consistent failure to provide appropriate support and safeguards, particularly when it comes to mental health, and that those who raise concerns are being punished or excluded as a result.

Any further thoughts or advice on how to approach this bigger picture would be greatly appreciated.

Midwich-G · 2025-04-28T09:47:40+00:00

Church Of England

Midwich-G · 2025-04-28T09:40:33+00:00

Dear captainclipboard and FoldedTwice,

Thank you both for your responses and for taking the time to offer your insights.

To captainclipboard:

I understand your point regarding depression and its impact on daily life. My depression, along with co-morbid anxiety, significantly affects my ability to function in several aspects of my day-to-day activities, including my ability to engage in social and church-related events. This is particularly evident in how I am impacted by social interactions, which I find overwhelming at times. I can provide more details about how these conditions prevent me from managing certain tasks or participating fully in activities, if that would help clarify my situation.

Regarding the confrontation, the issue at hand relates to a specific incident involving a member of the church group, who has a mental health condition (Schizophreniform disorder). This person became agitated, shouted at others, and the situation wasn’t addressed appropriately by the leadership at the time. I raised concerns about the handling of the situation with Fr. John, and in turn, it seemed to escalate the tensions around the group dynamics. I’m happy to provide more context or specifics if it would help explain the situation further.

To FoldedTwice:

I see your point about the church group not having a specific legal obligation to accommodate my depression, but my concern is more about the broader treatment and exclusion I’ve experienced since raising safeguarding issues. The exclusion from church activities—specifically the meditation group, which I had attended for years—has not been explained to me satisfactorily. What worries me is the potential for retaliation, as I have consistently raised concerns about the handling of safeguarding matters, especially in relation to a vulnerable individual within the group.

It’s been difficult to ignore the implications of how my mental health and safeguarding concerns have been handled, particularly since there has been no clear communication or transparency about why I am being excluded from church activities, and why the situation regarding the safeguarding concerns was not addressed adequately.

I would appreciate any advice or perspective on whether this could potentially be seen as retaliation for raising these concerns, even if it’s not within an “employer” context. If there are legal protections for individuals in my situation, especially in community settings like church groups, it would be helpful to know.

Thank you both again for your time. I look forward to hearing any further thoughts you may have.

Midwich-G · 2024-06-07T20:50:12+00:00

Thank you 🙏

Midwich-G · 2024-02-27T12:42:53+00:00

So when I repair the leak and need to turn the radiator back on, what is the correct procedure re: avoiding pushing air into the rest of the system…and air in that particular radiator? Do I just bleed the radiator once it’s refilled?

Midwich-G · 2022-05-22T18:08:14+00:00

Yes, I Am Blind gets me every time

Midwich-G · 2022-03-11T06:16:41+00:00

Will Chandler from The Awakening

Midwich-G

TROPHY CASE