First: Don’t Panic. This is a common tactic used to isolate families.
If a Social Worker or Judge tells you that you are “prohibited” from engaging with the Stop Safeguarding Now Coalition, it is essential to distinguish between a lawful court order and institutional bullying.
1. The Legal Reality: Freedom of Association
Under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, you have a fundamental right to Freedom of Association. This means you have the right to be a member of any group, club, or coalition you choose. Make sure you appeal to the ends of the earth. It’s unlikely that a Judge would actually bother ordering this as it would be highly illegal for them to do so. If you did need to appeal, please explain (and ensure) that you do not provide any identifying details of yourself or the child or vulnerable adult or information that might reasonably identify them. This always remains each Member’s responsibility and not the responsibility of SSNC. It is impossible for the Court to argue that these human rights can be proportionately interfered with.
A Social Worker has no legal power to tell you who you can talk to, what groups you can join, or where you seek emotional support so tell them, on our behalf, to do one and enjoy wiping the smirk off their faces.
Unless there is a specific, written Injunction or Court Order naming SSNC specifically (which is highly unlikely and to date there isn’t), any “instruction” to stop talking to us is usually an empty threat designed to keep you isolated and without advice and support.
2. Understanding Gagging Orders (“Transparency Orders”)
If you are involved in a Family Court or Court of Protection case, the Judge may issue a Transparency Order. As of 2025/2026, these rules have changed significantly across England and Wales to allow more transparency, but they still profess to be intended to strictly protect the anonymity of the child or vulnerable adult.
What they CAN do: They can stop you from publishing identifying details of the case (names, schools, photos) on social media or in the press.
What they CANNOT do: They cannot stop you from seeking private support from a group like SSNC, campaigning or protesting. Discussing your situation privately for the purpose of seeking advice, emotional support and standing up to state bullying through protest is a basic right.
3. How to Respond
If a so-called “professional” tells you to stop speaking to us, ask them for the legal basis in writing:
“Under which Section of which Act are you restricted my right to Freedom of Association and/or Expression?”
“Please provide the specific Court Order and the paragraph number that prohibits me from seeking peer support or protesting.”
Our (non legal) Advice: Continue to use your pseudonym. By using a pseudonym, you are not “disclosing” the identity of the child or vulnerable person in your case – you are simply discussing a set of circumstances. This makes it virtually impossible for the authorities to claim you have breached a gagging order, as no identifying information has been shared – good luck to them proving otherwise as long as you follow this advice.
Remember: They want you alone. We want you supported. As long as you follow our advice on pseudonyms and data minimization, you are exercising your democratic rights to free speech and association.
We are obliged to advise you that nobody at SSNC is a Lawyer, we are not allowed to give legal advice and this is not intended to constitute legal advice – we’d love to meet a Lawyer who disagrees though.