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

The definition of domestic abuse includes sexual and physical violence but also emotional and financial abuse. I couldnt ever prove the latter against my ex in family court because some ( but not all) professionals were barely prepared to accept that definition. I believe my DC are at greater risk from their father's controlling behaviour as a result. How do you assess emotional abuse particularly (but perhaps you also see financial abuse)? How would you report or deal with this?

If children are on a child protection plan as a result of witnessing domestic violence but the parents stay together and do the courses etc and no further violence is reported - will the kids eventually come off the child protection plan?

A child protection plan can't go on indefinitely. Either you see change or you don't. In the case of DV it obviously depends on the severity and the history but if the perpetrator is assessed as suitable for a program and completes it, and there are no incidents for a sustained period, the plan will be ended.

Another family member thinks that these things are not a safeguarding issue and we are wrong to go No Contact. We have been threatened with his 'grandparents rights' to contact with our children via court. What would the SS view be of a grandparent behaving in this way?

Wow. That's rough. You have done absolutely the right thing and there are no 'grandparents rights' under the law. In some cases grandparents might be able to apply for contact but certainly not in this situation.

Do more subtle forms of abuse ever get picked up on eg narcissism, treating one dc nicely the other awfully.

Homes that are too pristine, little sign of dc in them etc

Hi, would I be able to message you privately at all?

Kids are fed and looked after. Though I think he controls all money etc. He does nothing for the kids. Mom does everything

Parents using drugs isn't necessarily a child protection issue. There would probably need to be more to go on to trigger an assessment. Possibly not though so if you're worried about the kids do report it.

Don't want to take over someone else's ama thread, not totally sure of etiquette. Just wanted to say that my experience is that harm my higher income parents isn't treated any more leniently by social workers but there are often differences, cp policies in private schools used to be pretty ropey compared to state and they weren't always helpful during a s47 investigation, lawyers were often brought along to meetings even when they were CIN and totally surplus to requirements, there was more 'do you know who I am' and 'I pay for your wages with my taxes', more formal complaints about involvement to senior management and on one occasion we had contact from our Mayor asking what we were doing. So it made a change from physical threats and verbal abuse but just like that it didn't change any outcomes. High income families are better resourced and better at engaging with formal systems usually though.

How do you assess emotional abuse particularly (but perhaps you also see financial abuse)? How would you report or deal with this?

To be honest, social workers vary in their understanding of domestic abuse. It's getting much better in my local authority. It's also just as true for social workers that evidencing emotional abuse is challenging.

Do more subtle forms of abuse ever get picked up on eg narcissism, treating one dc nicely the other awfully.

In my experience yes, but again, quality of social workers can vary.

Hi, would I be able to message you privately at all?

I'm not able to give very specific advice, but sure

Hi op

What are the chances of getting into social work (pref child protection) with a 2:2 degree? I’ve looked over the past few years but all the training schemes seem to want a 2:1 minimum. Also, what are the chances of becoming a social worker without a driving license? If it’s a bit of a no go, are there any other jobs related to child protection/social work that you could suggest (that pay reasonably well). Thank you!

@pasta go for it! I'll be busy later so any other SWs please go for it!

Ah OK. I need some specific advice haha. Thank you anyway.

How would social workers view this as I'm concerned that a parent at school has potentially put another child at risk.

Parent suspects her child's friend is being emotionally abused and has been getting her child to ask the other child leafing questions over the phone but recording the calls .
I have told the parent this would probably not be used as evidence as she is questioning another child without legal representative or a guardian present but she keeps doing it to get 'evidence'
Would social workers accept this as evidence and is she putting the child at risk asking these questions and trying to record the answers as it could harm the case if she is correct?

What about his post, if it’s not already been added here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3352683-To-report-my-NDN-to-Social-services

Any advice for the OP.

What are the chances of getting into social work (pref child protection) with a 2:2 degree? I’ve looked over the past few years but all the training schemes seem to want a 2:1 minimum. Also, what are the chances of becoming a social worker without a driving license?

I have a 2:2, wasn't a problem getting offers from 2 universities but I had lots of experience working in children's services before I applied. Lots of social workers don't drive but it does make the job harder.

I'm. Confused you say a cluttered dirty home could trigger an assessment but taking drugs wouldnt necessarily

I have very recently lost my dh.. I have a teenager who is struggling to cope with the loss of his dad. Keeping the house tidy is not my top priority
But ds is at school in a clean uniform, fed every day and I'm. At work... Surely. Drug taking is more damaging than not doing the housework

Would social workers accept this as evidence and is she putting the child at risk asking these questions and trying to record the answers as it could harm the case if she is correct?

She needs to stop doing that and report her concerns properly. You can do it based on what you have said - talk to the school if you prefer.
Social workers would probably want to hear the recordings if they were available, We aren't police so evidence is more about what people say, triangulating sources, observing behaviour. She's massively overstepping though

I was chatting with a safeguarding manager the other day about what a tough job it is to be a social worker and he agreed then went on to say how Baby Peter was failed by 3 judges and not social workers...
I’ve just skimmed the SCR but I cannot see anywhere that proceedings were brought to remove Baby Peter from his motner’s care so I am now very confused about what this chap was on about?
Any ideas?

If you received a report from an adult victim of childhood sexual and physical abuse (never reported) that the perpetrator had recently taken an interest in young children in the family, and the children of the parents had no idea about the past abuse and no suspicions, would any action be taken and if so what?

Suspected FII
Have you attended any of the training courses which state the following conditions are ‘red flags’
Autism
EDS
PoTs
ME
Allergies
Gastro issues

When dealing with suspected FII do you yourself talk to everyone involved and seek evidence or just take the word of the accusing professional

What are the chances of a baby being allowed to remain with a birth Mum following a child being adopted for failure to protect which resulted in the child being harmed by a partner at the time? If Mum has a new (non abusive) partner, has done extensive counselling, is in a secure home and is now working and has been for a few years?

What would be the procedure? I understand I would need to do parenting courses but can’t do them without a child.

Why have things not changed in decades? You'll say they have I expect but I'm still hearing about the same mistakes being made decades after my first experience of them being made.

I cannot see anywhere that proceedings were brought to remove Baby Peter from his motner’s care so I am now very confused about what this chap was on about?
Any ideas?

I have no idea. It is a long time since I looked at the SCR

f you received a report from an adult victim of childhood sexual and physical abuse (never reported) that the perpetrator had recently taken an interest in young children in the family, and the children of the parents had no idea about the past abuse and no suspicions, would any action be taken and if so what?

I don't know what you mean by 'take an interest' and being a victim of abuse isn't a risk factor without something to indicate current abuse.