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Social services asking me to have son and girlfriend and baby living with me

461 replies

TheOchreEagle · 19/10/2026 12:45

My son is 19 autistic and still at college and lives at home, he has got his girlfriend pregnant it seems intentionally. Social services have asked us to house them half the week in his bedroom. My partner is not at all happy with the idea. I think it could potentially destroy our relationship.

I feel so torn I don’t believe it will work his bedroom is right next to ours and we would hear every noise. He is very resistant to being told anything and i don’t think his girlfriend would be very receptive to any advice.

They both have learning disabilities so would need close monitoring which would be difficult. I work at home as well as being a carer for my mother who although currently in a care home still makes demands on my time.

Social services have said there would be support but as it has taken 3 months to hear anything i find that doubtful.

I do want to help but living with us is just too much. Anyone had any experience of this or can offer any advice.

OP posts:
SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:58

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 19/10/2026 14:53

One that pays a lot more tax than we do

I don't object to that sort of support being provided if there's a reasonable chance of people developing parenting skills good enough to cope.

It can't be forever so the difficulty I guess comes with being able to assess within a reasonably short time frame whether they are able to learn how to look after a child. Do you put the support in place with the possibility it may go wrong and the child is traumatised or injured?

What's best for the baby is really hard to determine.

Short term residential assessments are very useful and often used but they are only a tool to assess whether a parent can do it in the community with minimal support. The cost of those placements is high but as it's time limited it's considered good value for money. Any assessments need to be completed within the PLO timeframe which is a goal of 26 weeks (though can be longer)

LittleSoo · 19/10/2026 14:58

Is she too far along for an abortion? It's insane that their decision to have unprotected sex, will disrupt so many other lives and put the burden onto others as they will need more support than the usual young couple having a baby. Her parents should have got her the implant to prevent this until they were both ready and able to manage this.

PrettyPickle · 19/10/2026 14:56

@TheOchreEagle This is a really difficult one. Mentally I would be running a mile, emotionally I would worry about how the young couple would cope.

And I think there are two issues here, The welfare of the baby and whether the grandparents' home should become the primary support arrangement. It seems to me you are NOT saying "I don't care about my son or grandchild" but you are saying you work from home, already have the care of your son and mother, plus work fulltime and have a partner, a partner who is very resistant to the idea. Your son appears resistant to guidance and both young parents have learning disabilities. Social services have a poor track record of providing timely support.
Taking them in could damage your relationship, not just with your partner and son but also affect your livelihood. Those are very legitimate concerns.

Where I'd differ slightly is on the "they got pregnant intentionally". Even if the pregnancy was planned, autism and learning disabilities can affect judgement, understanding of consequences, executive functioning and parenting capacity. That doesn't automatically mean they can't be parents, but it may explain why social services are involved and why support is being discussed.

What jumps out at me is that social services are not asking you to babysit occasionally. They are effectively asking you to become part of a supported-living arrangement for an indefinite period (possibly life). That's a huge commitment. Once a baby arrives, "half the week" can very easily become more, especially if the young couple struggle. I'd also be cautious about relying on: promises of future support from social services, verbal assurances that the arrangement is temporary, assumptions that the girlfriend's family will continue providing half the support. People often agree to things under pressure and then find themselves unable to step back later. And that person maybe you.

From the baby's perspective, there's also an argument that a stable, planned arrangement is better than being shuttled between households if everyone is already predicting conflict and stress.

OP, don't agree out of guilt, before you make any decisions, ask social services for a written support plan, ask what happens if you say no and ask what accommodation and parenting support are available independently of your home. Give allows you to protect your relationship and employment as well as considering the needs of the young couple.

My Aunt used to be a foster parent and at one point she had vulnerable adults and their newborn babies in her home to guide them and then offer support when they got their own place in the longrun. SS were assessing if they were capable on their own to be parents and they were deciding if they could do it. And this is the thing, if the parents realise its too much and they get overwhelmed as autistic people often do, who will step in? In what they propose I think it will be the grandparents. You know what your son is like, how difficult will it be with a baby for him to care for?

I have an Autistic brother and he does not fair well around kids let alone babies and he is a professional. But I also have an autistic cousin and she has three kids and is a great mum - the devil is in the detail I am afraid.

In truth, reading that post, my instinct is that you've already decided it won't work and are looking for permission to say no. And sometimes "I love you, but I cannot have you all living here" is a perfectly reasonable boundary, but its easier said than done.

The part that worries me most is actually the partner. If he's already "not at all happy" before they move in, bringing two vulnerable young adults and a newborn into the house sounds like a recipe for resentment, rows and stress for everyone involved. Saying yes to avoid feeling guilty could end up making the situation worse rather than better.

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:56

FoldItIn · 19/10/2026 14:51

The best chance you have of getting them any support either now, or later down the line, is by refusing to do this. They cannot go between two houses forever and if SS deem them as suitable parents they should be putting things in place for them now, such as housing, benefits, physical support etc.

If you take them in, SS will wash their hands of them.

For those saying SS shouldn't be responsible, why? Let them do some good and set these vulnerable parents and child up so they have a chance of thriving. It can work, but not when they are left with parents/grandparents who end up on their knees as they don't have the same tools to support as SS do.

Do not agree to this @TheOchreEagle .

Edited

Social services don't have 'tools to support'. I don't know what society you're living in but it's not the reality of children's social care in 2026. Social services aren't responsible for housing young parents by the way and there is no long term supported housing they could get. Just doesn't exist.

FoldItIn · 19/10/2026 14:56

Some ignorant posts on this thread about costs. If that is even the case then perhaps we should start figuring out why support packages cost so much?
If I had my time again and had zero morals I would aquire myself a few residential units. Quite the money maker.

JenniferBooth · 19/10/2026 14:55

Teainapinkcup · 19/10/2026 13:29

boil it down... this is your vulnerable son and his child, your grandchild that is also a vulnerable person...What are you really going to do? realistically putting a partner above all that, could you live peacefully with yourself? Why can your partner not be a nicer person!? Its not going to be forever, just give them a start.

I think as a mother we just need to... you know... get on with doing what is right. They will be older one day and will be housed but teach them as much as you can now, be a mentor to the gf and help teach about being a mother and she may well listen. If not, you can hold your hands up and say you did your absolute best.

Do it in Love. And one day the child will need a bedroom so they will be housed together as a family, surely!

This is my advice, take it how you will.

And what happens if he keeps getting his girlfriend pregnant again and again. Does @TheOchreEagle just keep doing it ad infinitum. Women never seem to get a break particularly older women. Just expected to work themselves into a hospital bed or worse,

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:54

C8H10N4O2 · 19/10/2026 14:51

How is a young family relocating twice a week in the interests of any small child?

As pp say - SS will do anything to coerce families into being unpaid housing/carers for the old, the young and the otherwise in need of some care. You can kiss goodbye to any future help or support once you have taken on the housing and care of the young family.

Just say "no" and keep pushing back, if only to retain the future support. The fact they are trying to force such an unsuitable arrangement for the child makes it clear what the agenda really is.

Edited

The agenda is probably keeping this baby within its family. Evil, right??

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:54

BoredZelda · 19/10/2026 14:50

What kind of society refuses to provide that?

Literally the one we live in now. That kind of budget for care does not exist. It's not available. Cannot be done.

Vse500 · 19/10/2026 14:53

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:02

The attitude on this thread is astounding. Who's issue is it that two disabled teenagers have decided to have a baby they can't raise without support? Why should it be the responsibility of the state to keep this baby with its parents rather than the responsibility of the nearest relatives?

100% Though many complaining SS will wash their hands of them, but clearly OK for nearest relatives to

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 19/10/2026 14:53

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:44

Residential care for a child can cost £10k per week. That's the ballpark of what it would cost to provide full time residential care support to some parents with LDs to keep their children with them. What kind of society can actually afford that?

One that pays a lot more tax than we do

I don't object to that sort of support being provided if there's a reasonable chance of people developing parenting skills good enough to cope.

It can't be forever so the difficulty I guess comes with being able to assess within a reasonably short time frame whether they are able to learn how to look after a child. Do you put the support in place with the possibility it may go wrong and the child is traumatised or injured?

What's best for the baby is really hard to determine.

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:53

cartagenagina · 19/10/2026 14:47

Why do you think it’s the responsibility of relatives? It isn’t.

The primary concern has to be the welfare of the child. I am quite happy for my taxes to be spent providing a supportive living environment for OPs DS, his DP and their child.

That's nice but the costs are completely prohibitive. No local authority could ever spend what would be needed to provide this.

FoldItIn · 19/10/2026 14:51

The best chance you have of getting them any support either now, or later down the line, is by refusing to do this. They cannot go between two houses forever and if SS deem them as suitable parents they should be putting things in place for them now, such as housing, benefits, physical support etc.

If you take them in, SS will wash their hands of them.

For those saying SS shouldn't be responsible, why? Let them do some good and set these vulnerable parents and child up so they have a chance of thriving. It can work, but not when they are left with parents/grandparents who end up on their knees as they don't have the same tools to support as SS do.

Do not agree to this @TheOchreEagle .

C8H10N4O2 · 19/10/2026 14:51

TheOchreEagle · 19/10/2026 13:43

Her mother agreed to her staying at her house half the week and i turned up at a meeting and was told this and asked to take them the rest of the week.

How is a young family relocating twice a week in the interests of any small child?

As pp say - SS will do anything to coerce families into being unpaid housing/carers for the old, the young and the otherwise in need of some care. You can kiss goodbye to any future help or support once you have taken on the housing and care of the young family.

Just say "no" and keep pushing back, if only to retain the future support. The fact they are trying to force such an unsuitable arrangement for the child makes it clear what the agenda really is.

OttersOnAPlane · 19/10/2026 14:50

It's OK to say no. I don't think it's healthy for the teenage mother and her baby to be moving every 3 or 4 days, it's just chaos.

Working full time, being a carer to your own mum and housing your autistic son is enough.

BoredZelda · 19/10/2026 14:50

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:44

Residential care for a child can cost £10k per week. That's the ballpark of what it would cost to provide full time residential care support to some parents with LDs to keep their children with them. What kind of society can actually afford that?

What kind of society refuses to provide that?

Ponderingwindow · 19/10/2026 14:49

I would consider taking them full time only. Moving back and forth is not the kind of stability that will help a young family launch.

The key though is are they going to be able to transition to independence? If this is a temporary measure because they need support initially due to age and finances, I would consider taking on the responsibility. If they are going to need indefinite support, then they have no business being parents. I would not be facilitating options that avoid hard choices like abortion or adoption.

BoredZelda · 19/10/2026 14:49

DebbieSavage · 19/10/2026 14:33

That's a very ableist point of view and I sincerely hope you educate yourself on how hurtful that can be to people with disabilities.

It isn’t at all abelist, it’s the reality of life. Quite apart from their limitations inherent with their learning disabilities (which social services have noted are an issue) the societal issues they will face makes it particularly difficult. Young parents are dismissed by healthcare and education professionals, and this is also a real problem for anyone with a learning disability. Can you imagine them trying to advocate for their child when they know there is an issue? How serious ly will they be taken?

I’m supporting a grandmother who is a kinship carer, she is autistic, her daughter has learning disabilities and her granddaughter has autism and adhd. Gran tries really hard to get the help and support her granddaughter needs but nobody takes either of them seriously. There is absolutely no support from social services, the school keep claiming they are doing everything right, but the chances of a decent future for the granddaughter are slipping away. I’m doing what I can to support them but I keep being told by the school I need to “stay in my lane”. I have a disabled daughter and have advocated for her and she’s had everything she needs. This is undoubtedly because I am a middle class, educated woman who knows what to ask for and how to ask for it.

The reason they will struggle is because of a societal, institutional abelism.

LIZS · 19/10/2026 14:47

What is the plan for the other part of the week? Where do they currently live and are they independent financially or practically ? If you and your p work you will not be able to wfh with newborn or offer supervision of their care. SS will not live up to their promises of support. Sadly you need to say no.

cartagenagina · 19/10/2026 14:47

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:02

The attitude on this thread is astounding. Who's issue is it that two disabled teenagers have decided to have a baby they can't raise without support? Why should it be the responsibility of the state to keep this baby with its parents rather than the responsibility of the nearest relatives?

Why do you think it’s the responsibility of relatives? It isn’t.

The primary concern has to be the welfare of the child. I am quite happy for my taxes to be spent providing a supportive living environment for OPs DS, his DP and their child.

Tulipsriver · 19/10/2026 14:46

What is the impact on your son and your grandchild if you say no?

It's a big ask, but this is your child (and it sounds like he is quite vulnerable?). Any decision I made would be based on what support I could feasibly provide, and what's best for him and the baby. Are social services confident that they parent the child appropriately with parental support?

Is your partner his dad? I don't think I would prioritise a romantic partner over my children, regardless of their age and especially if they had learning disabilities.

inigomontoyahwillcox · 19/10/2026 14:45

BoredZelda · 19/10/2026 14:38

This is a bonkers solution. Hard enough to be a new parent without having to move homes twice a week.

And yes, it's indeed a bonkers solution for the couple and child as well.

DemonsandMosquitoes · 19/10/2026 14:45

Are they asking his father?

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:45

Collaborate · 19/10/2026 14:44

If SS have asked you to foster them they should be prepared to propose a financial and care package. Just tell them that unless the support, both practical and financial, is in place it won't work for you.

They aren't asking her to foster her own son or the girlfriend, nor the grandchild.

Collaborate · 19/10/2026 14:44

If SS have asked you to foster them they should be prepared to propose a financial and care package. Just tell them that unless the support, both practical and financial, is in place it won't work for you.

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 19/10/2026 14:44

ShutupLwren · 19/10/2026 14:42

Agreed. I’ve had to support adults with learning disabilities visiting their children a few times and it’s always heartbreaking that with correct support they could have remained a family. Unfortunately the support costs are more than foster care costs so it’s not a viable solution. Lots of the families would have needed outside assistance for maintaining their living conditions, feeding their children appropriately and providing them with the basics. It’s really sad because you can see these people love their children so much, we just can’t give them the resources they need to keep their kids safe. People froth at the mouth over DLA or PIP etc enough without the idea of families being given in house support. It’ll just never happen.

Residential care for a child can cost £10k per week. That's the ballpark of what it would cost to provide full time residential care support to some parents with LDs to keep their children with them. What kind of society can actually afford that?

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