I’m a Child Protection social worker AMA

[Lupinslupinelady]

I won’t be breaching any confidentiality...

Do you think that many children are not receiving the intervention that they need because the threshold has reached a ridiculous high level due to cuts in social services?

Everycloudetc, yes there are challenges in the relationship but the barristers they get for Court are always the best.

Pleasesleepinyourownbed, is he in education?

Nanna50, I can only speak for where I work and the cuts are a nightmare but think we manage to help those in most need/ at biggest risk which is our job. There is less money for helping families financially and we have very high caseloads. The families who suffer are those who need support rather than protection so not threshold for social care but to be fair, schools and children’s centres do great work with them - but they can’t force the families to engage.

I honestly don't know. I kind of presumed he was & if so am relying on that source. I can't know for sure but it's not like he's hidden away by any means (he literally roams the streets). He's sometimes out from 8am in the snow with no jacket etc.

Sounds like a referral is needed.

Do you feel the threshold for intervention has lowered over the last few years?

Do you deal with young adults? I know of a 23 year old who is on pip her mom gets all her money and she has no bed amongst other concerns I mean where would I even start getting help for them

No, but it does depend on the area/ Local Authority.

What do you think causes the high turnover of foster carers?

No questions but just to say I think you guys do an incredible job in very tough circumstances

Thank you so much. That’s really reassuring and is similar to what our SW has said (we were worried she was just trying to be positive because we were so upset when she called and told us the news!). Hadn’t thought about the timing of BM’s changes, but you’re spot on!

Thank you for this whole thread. Really interesting.

Why are you all so horrible. And why does the mother get blamed for the fathers actions when they have done their best to get away?

I work with someone who is trying to get her grandkids.
Theyve been taken from their mother (her DD) and the choice is either go with nanna or be adopted by lovely couple who are fostering the older two and the little one stays in care.

Only nanna has had two negative assessments from SS...

I dont know why. I know it can't be anything criminal though as we work with children and that would flag on DBS.

What are her chances, and what reasons would SS have to say these children xannot be with their nanna? She is NC with her DD and is furious that her DD has allowed these children to be harmed.

I have never met a child protection officer who didn’t listen to anything just fake “professionals”

Absissspartacus - refer to Adult Services.

CrunchieFriday, I don’t know other than it is very difficult and not well paid. But some foster caters I know have done it for decades. It is also hard to imagine how damaged and difficult abused children are. Agencies pay better than Local Auhorities but they also tend to be for the hard to place children.

Actually I agree with the blame the woman thing my ex got arrested for something awful I kicked him out we split up children's services persistently claimed I wanted him back and after he slapped my ds when I wasn't even around and left a mark on him they reported abbs has allowed x to hit her ds not in line with cs policy how the fuckety fuck was I supposed to stop him? and I was against him having contact with him they bloody made me communicate with him

I suppose you can't always have a good one but she really took the biscuit with that statement

Thanks bluejelly and Rufus27! Good luck!

If a mum had reported her ex to the police for years of historical sexual assault and rape along with other types of domestic abuse and the children were already known to you due to malicious allegations by the dad what would your position be in terms of the children continuing to have contact with their dad?

I have really considered several times in my head about becoming a social worker.
What is your happiest/most rewarding case ?
What was your worse case?
Obviously I know you can't exactly detail , Also do you and others actually have or need counciling after certain cases?

HerRoyalFattyness, it is impossible for you or me to know the full reasons. She should have a copy of the full report saying why the assessments are negative and she can ask the social worker to explain it to her. She could also get legal advice.

How many years did you have to complete the course in college and do you recommend or like the job?

Pickled pickles, it would depend on what the children said about it and the parents and then whether any contact could be supervised if necessary.

Unfortunately her legal aid has been stopped and she has now exhausted her savings. Her solicitor has put together a final report asking for clarification of the negative assessments as apparently they seem quite petty and not really anything consistent or solid in there. (But of course, i only know what my coworker tells me) but thats it. She can no longer afford legal guidance and support.

I just really feel for her. She is fighting tooth and nail for these children, and as far as i can see, there is no reason to keep them from her.
Surely, where possible, it is better to keep children with family?

Have you had to lower your standards as to what is a good enough life for a child? There can't be the resources to tackle every case of low level neglect or similar. That is the part of the job I don't think I could do. You must have to prioritise the worst cases meaning that children who don't have a great life, but aren't as bad don't get the help.