Does anyone know if I can become a social worker if I've had social services involved when my son was a baby?

[Dixywitch19]

Just looking for some advice really, I'm starting an access course with the aim for university September 2020 and id love to do social work. I wondered if there was any rules about this as we had social services involved (very lightly) when my son was a baby (due to DV).
They came to check our living arrangements etc, closed the case then haven't had an issue since.

Thanks for any advice given.

Was baby on a child protection plan?

It depends. You need to admit it, and explain what you have learned from the experience and why it would make you a good social worker.

I am not in the UK but I believe the rules are similar. I used to foster a baby who's mum was an alcoholic, the dad was also an alcoholic, and violent. The children were removed from them due to neglect and endangerment. They were in care for 4 years. She gave up the drink, kicked out the abusive dh, and went back to uni. She is now a social worker working in child protection. (And she got the DC back).

No absolutely not. . Good luck 👍

Social worker here.
It shouldn’t prevent you being a social worker.
What is really important though is that self reflection. What you have learnt through the experience (of the involvement and the DV), how are you going to keep yourself emotionally safe if you haven’t dealt with those issues effectively, there’s a great deal of transferred emotions and dealing with other people’s trauma so emotional resilience is vital, so you need to be emotionally healthy and well.

You can definitely use this history as a strength.

Assuming you pass the DBS etc I think that would give you great insight on your clients although it might be challenging. Good luck with it!

Yes you can. Good luck!

Thanks everyone!
There was no big input from them, due to me and my son's father already being split up he wasn't living with us anyway, they wanted to check I was coping ok with my DS and were only involved as I asked the girl running baby group to help me out as I wanted my DS's dad's home to be Checked out as safe for my ds if that makes sense.

They visited me once then closed the case & visited ds's dad and closed that case too.
(He has been on anger management courses etc and it's been 5 years if that's relevant).

Sorry if that was rambled.

Thanks everyone!

How would they even know that you'd had social services involvement? Afaik it's not something that would show up on a DBS check unless you'd been in trouble with the police.

I have absolutely no idea @reallybadidea it was just something I've been anxious about so thought I'd ask the question!

If they wouldn't even know, then nothing to be anxious about! As others have said, I doubt it will be an issue if you can explain the circumstances. I know nurses with convictions for theft and assault before applying to university, so I think you'll be fine either way. Good luck.

I don't see it being an issue. As pp said it is about the reflection you have done on the experience, what you have learned from it etc.