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

@bloomingfeck
I'm really sorry to hear that and I did think after posting that 'very very rare' is an optimistic view. I do strongly believe it is a lot rarer than in used to be and I think the reduction of institutional care settings has helped. But you are right, very very rare is not correct.

@MajesticWhine
My answers would differ slightly about out of hours.
Where I work and in most authorities there is an out of hours social work service. This is very limited because we are not an emergency service and if a child is in such danger that the issue cannot wait until the next working day it is a police issue.

That said, where I have worker the majority of social worker will work late at times, often out on cases until 7 or 8pm, and I have been out till 11.30, I've known colleagues out until 2am. This isn't official out of hours though, it's just unpaid overtime and it's not particularly healthy or safe to work like that. Luckily it's been getting better at my place of work.

In my previous working role as a barristers clerk I saw some of the worst cases when they came to trial. I was always amazed at the kind of strength that people who do your job must have when faced with the very worst cases, going into these homes, facing people in person to make life changing decisions. I really admire the work you all do under trying circumstances and in the face of constant criticism.

My question...as with all areas of public life funding is constantly being cut and chipped away. Do you think increasing funding for social work, increasing staff numbers and generally giving more resources across the spectrum of public services, would make a difference where there are cases in which details have been missed. Or do you think that there would always be some cases where you take learning away the hard way regardless as human error, and the nature of those causing any abuse, means that details are hidden?

If someone has a history of violence in a non family context (getting in fights at the pub etc) but no evidence of domestic violence at all toward partner or children would the violence outside the home be enough on its own to trigger an investigation?

Is it common for siblings that have been removed to have different permanence plans? For example 3 full siblings aged approx 4,7 & 11 who have been brought up together, the two younger girls having a plan of adoption and the eldest girl long term fostering?

Would that scenario not cause emotional harm to all the children, especially the eldest child?

Sofiale I think that’s very common because few people want to adopt a 11 year old. I wouldn’t imagine the 7 year old has much longer either. I’m Not the OP obviously

What procedures are in place to protect social workers? For example, if you suspected an abusive member of the family whose case you were on found out where you live?

What percentage of your case load is children suffering from emotional abuse?

Thanks for answering my q. Op.

Just wondering if it's extremes that raise concerns eg we know extremely poorly kept houses trigger concern but what about extremely tidy houses without any sign of dc... Very uptight mum over mess... No toys out..

My question...as with all areas of public life funding is constantly being cut and chipped away. Do you think increasing funding for social work, increasing staff numbers and generally giving more resources across the spectrum of public services, would make a difference where there are cases in which details have been missed.

Yes, understaffing and lack of resources is key. PP above talks about regularly working until 7-8 and until 11.30 and 2am! That's insane and should not be happening. Working past 5 should be rare and only in very specific circumstances. If social workers are having to crack the laptop daily or work late regularly just to fit in their visits then they are bound to make mistakes and miss things.

I haven't got a question but want to thank yourself and other workers in your field. You do an amazing job. I was in an awful relationship and couldn't see it at the time (dv). Kids was on a protection plan (scary at the time) but helped us all so much. Managed to move away and move on to a violent free, happy life!! We all wouldn't be here if it wasn't for social workers and making me understand how to safeguard my children x

If someone has a history of violence in a non family context (getting in fights at the pub etc) but no evidence of domestic violence at all toward partner or children would the violence outside the home be enough on its own to trigger an investigation?

Possibly. If the police attend a violent incident and either there are children present or they find out that the person has children they will send a memo to children's services assessment service and depending on the situation it could trigger assessment.

@glintandglide

Yeah that is the reason why and also in larger sibling groups it's often impossible to place all the children together. I just wondered how common it is, it must be devastating for the children.

Is it common for siblings that have been removed to have different permanence plans? For example 3 full siblings aged approx 4,7 & 11 who have been brought up together, the two younger girls having a plan of adoption and the eldest girl long term fostering?

Yes, because finding a placement for sibling groups that could meet all their needs is almost impossible. Adoption is generally better than long term fostering and if it's an option it will probably be promoted.

Would that scenario not cause emotional harm to all the children, especially the eldest child?

It's usually a least worst option situation. If a family could be found to adopt that sibling group (assuming the 11 year old could cope with adoption, which is very unlikely by that age) that would be lovely but in reality it's probably never going to happen. The children need permanent homes; should they wait for the mythical permanent placement all together or have a chance at stability separately?

What procedures are in place to protect social workers? For example, if you suspected an abusive member of the family whose case you were on found out where you live?

Not much. When this happened I was offered the private security firm we used to pop over to mine at the weekend and do a check but that wouldn't have achieved much.

What percentage of your case load is children suffering from emotional abuse?

Pretty much all of them suffer emotional abuse due to other factors like addiction, mental health etc. I don't know of any who are just experiencing emotional abuse without other factors.

Just wondering if it's extremes that raise concerns eg we know extremely poorly kept houses trigger concern but what about extremely tidy houses without any sign of dc... Very uptight mum over mess... No toys out..

That is concerning but not something to trigger children's services by itself. I would hope that the health visitor would be alert to that and offer support.

I haven't got a question but want to thank yourself and other workers in your field. You do an amazing job

Thank you! I do hear that sometimes from families but not that often! You should be very proud of yourself

If a report is received of a child living in squalor what happens? A phone call to the parent to see what's happening? The house was filthy, flies, fly casts, possibly mice, out of date meat, milk and other fresh things, food left out on the side for days then eaten, place piled high with all sorts of things due to dad's hoarding, garden completely overgrown and covered in dog poo from next door's dog.

Also why would 2 social workers turn up on the doorstep with no warning after a malicious report?

If a report is received of a child living in squalor what happens?

Checks with school and health visitor etc, and a home visit probably

Also why would 2 social workers turn up on the doorstep with no warning after a malicious report?

That shouldn't happen; however if we can't get hold of parents by any means and the children aren't in school depending on the severity we may either write a letter then just turn up, or even just turn up unannounced but that would only be if we were extremely concerned

@NynaeveSedai

I've just started my own thread but would be so hateful if you could shed any light on this for me !
Three years ago my children were on a CPP due to domestic violence from my husband that they witnessed . He did everything required including temporarily moving out and I completed the freedom programme and we stayed together . The case was closed .
I'm due to start an NHS placement working with children alongside my higher education course and need an enhanced DBS check - would the child protection plan show up on this ? Thanks

Not hateful ! I meant grateful

Thanks. Not sure why that happened then as they had the measure of my ex and knew he was using them to continue his emotional abuse of me. Nothing came of it but my kids were scared for weeks that they'd be taken away from me as neither SW bothered to get back to me about what the decision was and I had to chase them up.

Thanks op.

I'm glad it would be noted at least. Ie middle class house, wealthy people.

I had v tricky upbringing, lots of drinkers, wild behaviour. Etc. But I always knew I was deeply loved and cared for by my dp.

A friends dp drove thier ds so suicide attempts because his home was loveless, conditional love and house like a prison... Can't move without being criticised and monitored. Floor worth more than the dc.

I've never known anything like it totally emotionally repressed having seen personally the other chaotic side of the coin I would take a certain level of that over the cold hard clean repressive house.