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

Even with medical evidence from numerous consultants that I copied to all involved it still took weeks and weeks to be believed. I wasn’t making up diagnoses or needs
Because certain people said ‘x LOOKS fine’
I was apparently a liar for financial gain and attention
Had evidence of other conditions too🙄 actual test results .....even those on headed paper from consultant were queried
You would expect it to be easy and straightforward but it’s not

www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/child-protection Adverse Effects Of Child Protection on Public Health............ Still no time to read OP, and give us your views? Takes 5-10 minutes?

If a person reports a family would they be informed if they phoned up of the outcome?

“If a person reports a family would they be informed if they phoned up of the outcome?”

Surely it’s obvious that they wouldn’t! Confidentiality is important. Information only goes one way!

Still no time to read OP, and give us your views? Takes 5-10 minutes?

Sorry I'm at work!

If a person reports a family would they be informed if they phoned up of the outcome?

They might get some non specific information but they wouldn't share confidential info with a member of the public

If a mother repeatedly takes their child to the doctors / a&e when there appears to be nothing wrong with the child would this be flagged up via the GP / hospital trust?

I have family members where this was a weekly occurrence and wondered if it would be being followed up in the correct way. Subsequently one of the children was kept back a year in school and has one to one support etc and as far as i know the family receive benefits for these disabilities except the child really doesn't have any. Will the authorities be aware of this and is it something they would tread lightly around due to what seems to be the mothers mental health?

If a mother repeatedly takes their child to the doctors / a&e when there appears to be nothing wrong with the child would this be flagged up via the GP / hospital trust?

I can't answer that as it's a question about hospital safeguarding procedures

Ok thanks anyway. It was a difficult situation to know whether to flag it or whether the health professionals would have already been onto it.

I think it's a great job you do. Thanks for sharing

I am interested in the what standard practice is re: paperwork provided to the parent where a number of allegations and an assessment completed. Would such a report detail each concern, state if the concern was substantiated by the evidence collected and the level of harm to the child?
I am just hearing a lot of anguish from posters who have had malicious allegations made. I agree social services should not apologise for investigating. However are these reports routinely provided, and if so why don't they give the family affected emotional closure?

My niece and nephew got taken in to care as their mother (My sister) left them home alone and there were neglect concerns. I was assessed to take them but deemed unsuitable due to my long work hours, mental health etc however this was 3 years ago and my circumstances have changed dramatically so my question is.. could I apply to care for them? I've not seen them in 3 years but maintained post box contact, maybe 6-8 letters a year plus cards and presents for holidays.

However are these reports routinely provided, and if so why don't they give the family affected emotional closure?

Parents should have copies of every report written about their family (only exceptions being if there are safety concerns with a perpetrator of abuse) and the reports should be in depth and thorough.

my question is.. could I apply to care for them? I've not seen them in 3 years but maintained post box contact, maybe 6-8 letters a year plus cards and presents for holidays.

If they have stable, long term placements then it may not be considered in their interests. I suggest you contact the local authority which looks after them and make a tentative enquiry.

Nynaeve thought you'd have a bit of interest in "Adverse Effects Of Child Protection On Public Health", seeing as Child Protection is your job? Never mind, keep up the good work.

Aun I'm sorry but I didn't start this thread to be given a reading list. I've been at work all day; when I'm not at work I'm busy with my family and my 2nd job. So actually no I'm not going to read your paper; I spend enough of my down time reading social work articles and I'm not interested enough to read that, and your snarky attitude and intrusive demands for me to read it have really made me not want to not sorry

You’re doing a great job answering all these posts op! You need a second job too?! How do you fit it in? Also, do you need to be good with technology? I imagine lots of your forms are filled in online now.

You’re doing a great job answering all these posts op! You need a second job too?! How do you fit it in? Also, do you need to be good with technology?

Thanks! Yes, I do have a second job that I do from home. I need it as I'm a single parent. I fit it in by having no life
Our technology is no more complex that any workplace, in fact less so as local authorities don't spend money on upgrading systems! Basic computer literacy is all that's needed.

Well done to you Op! Since reading your thread it has made me look again at getting into social work as I feel like I’m at a point where I need to make a decision about what to do but it still seems out of my reach. I’m in a position where I need to earn as I work, I don’t see how I could take a year out to do a masters in social work. I can’t seem to find one single starting point as there are different pathways in but most seem to want graduates with a 2:1 degree sadly. I also worry that I don’t have the right type of experience they might look for. Sigh!

The social work masters is 2 years! If you find an employer who will support you you can do it part time through the OU but it's tricky. You need to be working for a local authority in a support worker type position really

Oh wow, 2 years! Social worker must be the creme de la creme! Maybe I need to just give up thinking about it. Support work jobs probably require a health and social care qualification and I’m guessing don’t pay very well. I work in a related (ish) job but don’t think it would help me much. Do you mind if I could private message you and you could give me your quick thoughts on if I’m wasting your time? Not expecting a fast response, would be hugely grateful!

Sure!

Do you think that children removed from their birth families due to neglect etc that are then in care for a significant amount of time and then adopted are supported enough to break the cycle of generations?

Do you get many calls to households that have adopted children placed?

Just wanted to say thank you! I come from a family of social workers, so I know how tough it is (and that I couldn't do it). I'm so glad that great people do choose it, though.

Auntethel i have to say I’m finding your expectation that OP will sit and read a long random paper out of any context then debate it with you on here quite bonkers

Thank you so much for your response. In yoir opinion if a person has a child in long term foster care/put up for adoption are they more likely to be a risk for children of people they enter into relationships with?