Children's social worker AMA?

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

If you like

Oh, addendum I guess. We were signed off by all teams some time ago and DD is flourishing, I occasionally speak to her key TAF worker (who was unfortunately signed off with stress whilst the above was occurring so could not intervene), and I love that woman, she's brilliant.

Littlemiss - I don't think so BUT I'm not sure because one LA I worked for had a fund to extend current fc houses so they could take more kids.

I like - no one should be slamming doors but I'm unsure, structurally how else that allegation could have been dealt with legally. Practice is what's laid out in law.

Marryone - the best medicine is really good peer support and very black humour. Plus in the midst of horror is some really batshit stuff you can only laugh at. Plus adoption work is really amazing, like being in a film

Queen you've not answered my question.

So you are essentially saying you do not understand my question?

No Queen, what I was asked to sign is not 'Laid out in law'. I was forcibly threatened and told non-complicity would have unfortunate consequences.

Ilike I can't really answer it. It couldn't not be investigated

In a situation where a child's dad keeps getting reported to SS as a concern (drugs, DV - first against mum, then other girls when she split up with him, other crimes, uncontrolled MH issues and delusions), but the mum has been assessed as fully competent to protect the child, why can SS not give a straight answer re contact?

Why can't they say that supervised contact must be put in place, instead of just 'advising' to? So then dad rings up SS and they say there's no open case, they're not stopping anything and he can have her 50/50 if he wants, leading to lots of upset and aggression 

Even after a significant case of DV in front of the child, which ended the relationship, in the same call as SS recommending an urgent non mol - they told mum that SHE had to phone dad and tell him he couldn't see the child anymore. Mum completely agreed, but couldn't understand how they could recommend a non mol whilst also demanding inflammatory contact. Repeatedly insisting that mum puts herself and her child at danger by inflaming a very violent man the day after a DV incident, and telling her that was what was best for her child.

I don't get it. I guess the first bit - is it because direct orders can't be given without a court case or the child going on some kind of plan, which could be seen a waste of time/ money when the child is safe and well cared for? If so, I wish this policy could be changed.

But the last incident - I think about it all the time, and I can't understand the rationale behind it. It's the first and only time I've ever felt so forced to do something which was likely to harm me and DD by the authorities, and being terrified my child would get taken off me if I didn't comply. Can you explain the thought processes behind this, if this was in line with SS protocol?

Thanks 

The the law no I mean investigating and listening to a child not the written agreement

How would a social worker (or department) view a person who was not allowed to see their own DC being allowed to be in sole charge of other peoples' DC.
There is/was a Court Order against this person ever seeing their own DC. As a result of this allegations were made which proved to be untrue.
This person attempted to use emotional blackmail to control mother and DC by telling lies and is now using the same tactics with other children.
I also know that this person is involved in criminal activities.
Some of the DCs that are involved are more vulnerable than the average child.
How would social services view this person's contact with DC? Should I do anything about this and if so what?

As smacking is not against the law (though should be, IMO), on what basis do SWs investigate the kind of allegation Ilike details her DD made?

Also, how do you avoid burnout in your job? Have you ever had therapy, for example (if that's not too personal a question)?

What are the more subtle 'red flags' that you would look for when on a home visit?

Well it was investigated and found null and void.

If a concerned neighbour called, reporting serious verbal abuse to the children / locking in the house etc etc. But the home is spotless, parents are upstanding members of the community. Would it be looked into? Would the children be spoken to? Basically is it something that would be investigated

The whole process was really devisive, and as a parent of a child with SEN who has cooperated for.years I don't think you seem to understand how harmful that kind of behaviour is.

How do you feel about the current shift in threshold for Social Care intervention and the emphasis placed on Early Help interventions?
It seems to me that schools are carrying a higher level of cases in house and are expected to provide support way outside their previous remits. In my area at least, schools have far fewer children on plans and far more cases being led by pastoral staff at Early Help level.

Ilike I'm not accountable for your experience. A child saying they are hit is never going to be ignored.

Stillme the family allowing dc contact with that person will be advised to desist and told why. If they stare they are going to ignore advice it becomes a ss issue.

Queen thank you for your response. I know that the parents of the DCs have seen the papers concerning this person's previous conduct but have decided to ignore the evidence.

How should I find the best person/department to tell this to?

Quinn - that would be investigated though that might not be visible to the reporter

Shoving I've had a burnout already took 7 weeks off work. One la paid for an amazing counsellor it was really helpful.
I'm always over compensating with my own children for things that my clients don't have.

Everyone else I'll be back later

Speaking generally, what usually happens post 18 & does it happen immediately following the 18th birthday or at the end of the academic year following the birthday (assuming the young person in 6th forn/college/other training)?