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Original poster

Refusing social services

32 replies

Holdingforth · 29/01/2024 17:44

Can a 16 year old refuse to engage with social services? They live with their parent and the whole family is being assessed due to the problems the teen is having such as shoplifting, school refusal, violence, drinking etc.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 29/01/2024 17:59

Holdingforth · 29/01/2024 17:57

There are other children in the family being assessed who have no issue being assessed. The teen is the one with all the issues and causing problems for the other children.

Is the teen commiting DV? A placement might be sought, is there anyone in the family that can house them?

Original poster
Holdingforth · 29/01/2024 17:58

No current police involvement but previous.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 29/01/2024 17:57

Have the reports been ordered as a result of criminal behaviour? Criminally seeking it will change the outcome. If there's violence and they won't engage, then a custodial sentence in a young offenders institute might be appropriate. They should at least get a suspended sentence etc. If they carry on then the sentence will be enforced. They will be classed as a child in need by SS.

Original poster
Holdingforth · 29/01/2024 17:57

There are other children in the family being assessed who have no issue being assessed. The teen is the one with all the issues and causing problems for the other children.

OP posts:
RowanMayfair · 29/01/2024 17:55

IncompleteSenten · 29/01/2024 17:46

well they can but it won't be without its consequences. They can't refuse and nothing happens, social services won't go oh, ok then, we'll just close the case, cheerio.

Well I mean they kind of will. I mean not immediately but they don't have the power to compel a teenager to engage with them. It's still voluntary.

Original poster
Holdingforth · 29/01/2024 17:52

What would happen?

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 29/01/2024 17:46

well they can but it won't be without its consequences. They can't refuse and nothing happens, social services won't go oh, ok then, we'll just close the case, cheerio.