Child protection social worker- ask me anything!

[NynaeveSedai]

With the recent rash of social worker related posts recently which have been FULL of frankly bollocks I thought I would offer to answer any questions.

Disclaimer - different local authorities do things slightly differently though national standards should be followed, and I'm in England so can't talk about the rest of the uk

I'm sorry, I'm a CP SW and that really sounds like an adult services issue.

:**What can social workers now do to try mend the mess that has happened and support my children? Or is it likely that as there is no risk to the children they will wash their hands of us and leave me to try and fix it all myself?

MASH investigated as they are legally obliged to do. I don't want to sound callous but it's not the responsibility of social workers (especially as MASH workers only do screening) to counsel your family after the assessment. Once a case is closed it is closed.*

Do you think that's right though as a social worker? I don't want to go into specifics of my family and the contents of the referral on here, but my little family unit will never return to what it was. Both my children will have issues with the events of last week for months and for one of them (due to being older) possibly for life and the comforting normality of our family that We created is not there now to provide the support they now need.

My children were never at risk of harm, they were safe, loved and happy and despite being a single parent I have given them a happy stable home and all the opportunities I can provide them. We had never even been on the radar, schools have never had any concerns nor had any of our regular register childcare providers.

However the authorities came in very heavy handed, destroyed it all because of unfounded claims, leave my children both traumatised to some degree and then just go "case closed now off you go"? Without giving any support to the kids? How is that right?

that pretty much happened to me as well Thingy.
they came in, decided I was a shit parent, had a conference to rubber stamp it, and I was offered zero support.
It appeared to be an exercise of power and control, and of justifying their own jobs , tbh.

That’s what happened to us too. I’ve got to a point where I have to keep telling myself as difficult as it is and as wretched as I feel (PTSD) that at least it was case closed no action. There’s literally nothing you can do in this situation it’s awful
😔

However the authorities came in very heavy handed, destroyed it all because of unfounded claims, leave my children both traumatised to some degree and then just go "case closed now off you go"? Without giving any support to the kids? How is that right?

Do you think that allegations shouldn't be investigated? That parents' word should be taken as truth?

For the impact to be so severe, it would probably have been a serious allegation. What do you think would be the correct course of action in that situation? What follow up would you want or expect?

A de briefing service would be the ideal like when women have a birth de brief although I expect it then comes down to cistbamd resources
I remember when we went through it and it was awful and over xmas. The sw said to me ‘I’m putting my phone here as I’m the sw on call’
I just remember thinking oh god she’s here and nothing’s going on and there are other kids probably who do need her help and she’s spending all this time here itbreally got home to me how busy she was and how a false malicious allegation potentially could cause more harm to another child/children

*cost and resources

I think a debrief sounds like an excellent idea.

Thank you OP for answering. 👍

Any family who want further information about their case can request to see their records.
The vast majority of assessments involve a home visit, seeing dc and family members, gaining consent to talk to other professionals and completing a standard assessment document, which gives an overview of family life.
Investigations into allegations of serious abuse have a lower emphasis on gaining parental consent and focus on details of the allegations, they may include interviewing by a specialist police officer alongside a social worker in a child friendly room and a pediatric assessment.
If it is thought there is a very serious and current risk the adult who it is thought to pose the risk may be asked to leave temporarily or it may be asked that dc stay temporarily with other family members. This is not standard however and is usually only for cases of significant physical harm or sexual abuse.

So pasta you think it's fine for an innocent perfectly functioning family to have their lives effectively turned upside down with no explanation, no support and reports remaining to haunt them years later?
To be clear "where an apology might fit in"?
When your fact finding investigation uncovers the fact that there's no foundation to any false and malicious claims and the hell that SS subsequently unnecessarily put the family through would be a good place to start surely?

So pasta you think it's fine for an innocent perfectly functioning family to have their lives effectively turned upside down with no explanation, no support and reports remaining to haunt them years later? To be clear "where an apology might fit in"?
When your fact finding investigation uncovers the fact that there's no foundation to any false and malicious claims and the hell that SS subsequently unnecessarily put the family through would be a good place to start surely?

Do you expect the police to apologise for investigating crimes where the suspect turned out to be innocent?

Of course social services shouldn't apologise for investigating allegations of abuse. It's the law that they do so!

with no explanation, no support and reports remaining to haunt them years later?

What do you mean by no explanation? You would have had an explanation at the time.

There was no explanation provided at all- until I involved the police and off my own research and steam proved the claim to be false and malicious. The IP address of the the false accuser was provided to police and a harassment notice then issued to them which still stands today.
Cue two years later a hideous house move which we had to borrow money from family and arrange within a week due to the risk posed by said malicious referrer.
Only then via police did we receive an explanation. As SS were incapable of providing any verbal or written explanation. Entire case proved the malicious referrer was suffering from acute mental health problems and that we were blameless.
So yes a bit of support (I was alone in unravelling the whole sorry episode which was a full time job) and an apology would have gone a long way....
I'm sure your approach is far more positive given your responses here but our experience of SW 's gave an impression of sub-human, Ill qualified individuals who got off on the sheer hell they set loose.
And to this day not one of them has ever met me, my child or set foot in my home. Which we are still indebted to the tune if £5k to family for.... due to the glaring inadequacies and inefficiency displayed all the way through.

OP and other SWs - a lighthearted one here. Is it policy to accept nothing but tap water in a client's house? I always offer a variety of hot/cold options but never anything more than a glass of water is accepted. I amused myself last time by adding ice cubes which SW was taken aback by - it was a very hot day.

Those who make false and malicious referrals will always get away with it. Sadly there’s no other way.

There can’t be a situation where they are reprimanded as then that could put off genuine referrals as the person would worry they could be called a liar ......
So everything has to be investigated to potentially safeguard a child/children
I’m these horrible cases families like ours take a massive hit. For the ‘greater good’ maybe but it’s hell to be in this position

Is it policy to accept nothing but tap water in a client's house?

no. I usually don't accept drinks because I don't want one but if it's really hot water will be welcome! There is no policy. I have visited families from cultures where it's impolite not to take food when offered and always came away with an apple in my bag. Colleagues have eaten small portions of meals when offered! I have brought back huge pieces of birthday cake to the office. I don't eat anything as I'm veggie and wouldn't risk it.

But they do always use the loo.

There was no explanation provided at all

I apologise, I thought you meant no explanation of the investigation. It sounds like you had a very traumatic and stressful experience which is certainly not the norm so it's very hard for me to comment on it because it's so specific. But to answer your question about apologies; no. Investigating allegations of abuse is a statutory duty under the children act; apologising for doing so makes no sense.

But they do always use the loo

If we are visiting a nice clean house on a busy day we will grab the opportunity! I also never use the loo if I'm doing a child protection visit. It feels disrespectful for some reason.

They never accepted a drink in my house wirhter even though it was an hour and a bit drive!

I've found policemen (just Safer neighbourhood watch type stuff) will accept hot drinks and wrapped treats ie penguins, tradesmen will eat the dinner off your plate if offered, SWs only tap water and everyone wants to use the loo. The postman once knocked desperately and was in the loo a suspiciously long time

Just my own little study of public sector loo habits.

I would usually only use the loo in a foster carers house, but I have an iron bladder, a useful qualification in a social worker. I do however usually accept a cup of tea, I think the shared ritual on tea drinking helps normalize things. I wouldn't if I thought it was possible it would get thrown over me or sometimes there just wouldn't be any clean mugs or safe milk.

How’s many times do the police have to be called about DV before SS finally step in and actually do something. Poor kids hearing and seeing the parents and yet the mother lies her way though the police it would seem. Those children don’t stand a chance at a Normal life unless something changes soon.

How’s many times do the police have to be called about DV before SS finally step in and actually do something.

There is no answer to that. It depends on many other factors.

Please also remember that the 'something' you want us to do may be a) not obvious to you and b) not effective. If the 'something' is removing the perpetrator from the house; we don't have those powers. And if it is taking the children into care; that may not be the right thing for them. It's impossible to say. All I can say is keep reporting, every time.