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Original poster

Why do nhs staff ask this?

118 replies

Realitea · 06/04/2019 21:10

I took dd in today to a walk in centre and one of the first things they asked was if we were mum and dad and then if we’re known to social services. I thought that was a bit of an odd question. I just wondered if they ask everyone this or whether they were judging me and dh?
Maybe I’m overthinking a bit!

OP posts:

GreenTulips · 06/04/2019 21:12

No they now ask everyone so they can inform SS of any incidents

It’s not personal

GreenTulips · 06/04/2019 21:13

They also asses the child to be well cared for/clean/dress appropriately etc and put a score in the records

PotteringAlong · 06/04/2019 21:13

Standard question; don’t worry about it.

Arachnidplant · 06/04/2019 21:14

Need to ask if you're mum and dad because you might not be. You might be sister/grandma/a stranger, for all they know.

The tiny part of the NHS in which I work doesn't treat children known to social care, they would go to a different unit. So we have to ask.

Starlight456 · 06/04/2019 21:16

If you aren’t parents you don’t have pr so can’t consent to treatment.

PanamaPattie · 06/04/2019 21:20

I always think that any parents that are known to social services will either lie or not visit a walk in centre.

Original poster

Realitea · 06/04/2019 21:23

That’s that mystery solved then.

OP posts:

AguerosAngel · 06/04/2019 21:24

I took DS12 to A&E a couple of weeks ago with a footballing injury and they asked him (while I was there of course) if our family had a social worker (we don’t and I had to explain what a SW is to him).

Standard question now I think.

SinkGirl · 06/04/2019 21:25

Every single time I take my twins to one of the many hospital appointments where they’re weighed and measured, they fill in a form with a bunch of questions and one of them is “does he have a social worker?”. However, because I’m well spoken and appear middle class, it’s always asked as “he doesn’t have a social worker does he?” and they basically tick no before I respond.

I’ve been asked this question so many times by so many people and not a single one of them has ever expected me to say yes which is quite shocking really. As if only poor people have SS involvement.

greenelephantscarf · 06/04/2019 21:27

Need to ask if you're mum and dad because you might not be. You might be sister/grandma/a stranger, for all they know.

without checking their id they could be anyone tbh.

op total normal questions. depending on the age of the child, you might get invited to see the hv or gp as follow up.

DialANumber · 06/04/2019 21:30

Completely standard. A child can have a SW for many reasons including SEN/additional needs as well as safeguarding, and there is no stigma or judgement attached to the question or answer.

It has to be documented who is seen with the child and no assumptions can be made. As PP said, if the adult with the child does not have PR then some things like written consent would need to be sorted at a later date.

EluphNaugeMeop · 06/04/2019 21:30

@PanamaPattie I always think that any parents that are known to social services will either lie or not visit a walk in centre.

Really. No. . What a judgy and ignorant thing to say.

The vast majority of families known to SS are working closely with their social worker to prove that they are overcoming their problems and that SS don't need to be concerned any more. It is entirely possible for a kid from a troubled home to suffer an injury that is unrelated to the troubles of the family.

It is entirely possible for a child to have one shitty parent who is the cause of the family being known to SS and one decent parent who will obviously get their kid medical attention if needed.

Original poster

Realitea · 06/04/2019 21:30

I now feel offended by the nhs that they didn’t think I appeared middle class. I was wearing my incredibly expensive boots aswell 😂

OP posts:

tinydancer88 · 06/04/2019 21:31

I always think that any parents that are known to social services will either lie or not visit a walk in centre

There are lots of reasons families are known to social care. It doesn't automatically mean the parents don't care for or love their children or would lie.

Original poster

Realitea · 06/04/2019 21:31

That was in reply to Sinkgirl btw

OP posts:

Butterymuffin · 06/04/2019 21:32

I'm middle class and I've had the straight 'do they have a social worker' question too. Absolutely standard.

OvO · 06/04/2019 21:35

I've never been asked the SS question! Now I'm wondering what that means. 😆

negomi90 · 06/04/2019 21:37

I ask every single child/their grown up who I see.
If I started being judicious about who I asked then that would make a judgy person I don't want to be. Rich educated people can abuse children too or have problems.
It is genuinely a question I ask everyone with no judgements.
Like other pps have said, parents are needed for parental responsibility.

greathat · 06/04/2019 21:38

I've had it when Ds has been in hospital with pneumonia. Also had the question when filling in dds asd referral. Along with is there domestic violence or drug use in the house! They would be the ones I'd assume people would answer less honestly

Papergirl1968 · 06/04/2019 21:40

We are "known to social services."
My dds - adopted and lots of issues - are on child protection plans because of their own risky behaviours.
It must flash up on the NHS screens in big red letters as they always apologetically say they'll have to let SS know, to which I airily reply "that's fine." Been there, got the t-shirt so many times, I know the script.
Youngest dd has been treated five times since new year, and I certainly don't lie or avoid walk-in centres, thank you, Pattie.

nordicwannabe · 06/04/2019 21:42

The other question they always ask is whether DC has any siblings. Always gives me a bit of a twang, since I would love DD to have a sibling but she doesn't.

I'm now rather nervous about the score for being well cared for/clean/dress appropriately though! We ended up in hospital recently when DD suddenly got very ill with a chest infection. The doctor commented on her having felt tip on her foot... and a nurse asked where her shoes were. I think we probably got quite a low score that day! We'd been preparing toys/snacks etc when she suddenly got much worse, and I basically grabbed her and ran to the car. Forgot her shoes, but she wasn't really able to walk so it didn't matter anyway. No excuse for the felt tip pen though!

ALLMYSmellySocks · 06/04/2019 21:43

They ask everyone, I've also been asked what school my DC attends which I thought was odd but I guess helps to form a larger picture if you have a child who may be at risk.

Original poster

Realitea · 06/04/2019 21:51

Ah yes I was also asked which school. I found that odd too

OP posts:

DialANumber · 06/04/2019 21:54

Asking which school helps if they need to link you in with school nursing services or CAMHS etc.

mumknowsbestapparently · 06/04/2019 21:54

The last time I was at the ooh with my youngest I didn’t even bother dressing him he was so poorly, he had jamas on with socks and shoes, lord knows what the comments were that day!

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