Children's social worker AMA?

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

If you like

If someone phones you with an allegation , is the person it's about allowed to find out who rang in? And how serious does it have to be for a child to be removed?

Callers can ask to be anonymous and often do. We are very vague with the parents as it's often a concerned neighbour who doesn't want grief.

For a good to be removed they have to be at risk of significant harm or already experiencing it. Significant harm is defined in law as abuse - physical/emotional/sexual or neglect. A lot of things have to happen for a child to be removed.

Plus you can't remove a child without a voter order or agreement from the parents.

Do you have enough time to see the families you work with in as much depth as you would like?

Do you have any part in preparing care plans?

How likely is it that you would help fund emergency care for a child if a single parent had to go into hospital? There is no other option other than a childminder who the child already knows, and who is already registered with the LA to do respite. At £100 per 24 hours it's too expensive to self fund. The only other option is foster care

If someone ring up with a silly allegation eg I think my neighbour is abusing their toddler because they won’t allow them to have sweet and juice and will only give them water and healthy food, do you have to contact parents/professional and do some investigation or can you use your judgement that it is not an issue?

What is the threshold for investigating an allegation? (I'd like to think any claim would at least be looked into, but I appreciate a) that there's a lot of malicious people out there and b) you only have so much time)

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Oooh lots of questions I'm going to do them one at a time

George - do I have enough time - sadly no though I have to say that in time I always get to know my children really well.

George - the allocated social worker is responsible for the child protection or child in need plan and also the court care plans that's a basic requirement

Hello! My question is a bit morbid I'm afraid. If DH and I both died or were incapacitated at the same time would my children go straight to family or to foster care whilst it's sorted? We have done a will saying who we would like them to go to, that person knows as do the rest of the family and all are happy with it.

What happens if someone makes a serious allegation but there is no proof?

Do you find it difficult not to be judgemental with some of the parents you need to deal with? Are your other colleagues openly judgemental?

Do you find it difficult to handle professional parents who know what the law says and what their rights are, particularly with respect to disabled children, assessments and awarding support?

And are all social workers simply too overloaded to do a good job?

Another angel - that's an nfa

Eggy's I can't really answer that I work in child protection and before that long term care and care leavers. Children with disabilities is a specialist service.

Alison about the judgement I don't understand the question can you suggest an example?

Utterly - that's a bit case by case basis what the threshold for investigating is

Tweebee - ss might not even get involved - family would be the default though don't worry

Hastings unlikely unless every option has been exhausted but might be covered under section 17. I've never known of this though

Race car driver can you be more specific?

Did you find doing your degree difficult and is it a career you'd recommend to someone with young children?

Judgemental on parents behaviour. A parent who, for example, has sex or takes drugs in front of their children, or blatantly neglects their child, misses appointments etc, then claims that social services have it in for them. And sets up 'secret' face book groups to slag you off by name. Do you emphasize, or think they are cunts?

How can I get into this as a career. I can't afford to give up work and do my MA full time.. and don't have a work placement/sponsorship from LA to do it alongside working for them. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do.