Social services intervention

[Shadow00]

Hello, this is my first time using mumsnet forum and I want to say that english is not my native language so please ignore if I will make some grammar mistakes. I have recently been reported by school to social services and I need some advice what can I expect to happen in my situation. Last week on thursday I had a horrible incident. I had a day off from work, my husband was already at work and I was cooking dinner and I dranked 2 cans of beer. After that I was going to school to pick up my 2 kids age 8 and 5. It was rainy day and I rushed and going by the street I got splashed from a passing by truck and when I was trying to avoid it I fall down. I bruised my face, hands and I started to feel dizzy. I came to school and teachers asked me what happened. I was in shock of the incident, explained everything how I got injured and they decided to call for my husband to come to school to take me and our kids to home. When he came he was told that school will report this to social services. I know that I didn't have to drink that beer and I don't drink often at all and from now I will not take even a drop of alcohol in my mouth for the rest of my life, because you never know what can happen. My bigest concern now is what is most likely to happen for my family? I got a call from SS next day after incident, lady which called me was talking very politely I explained for her what happened, she asked me if I have someone to take care of me and kids and I said yes, my husband was at home and she had a conversation with my husband too. She said for him that they will come for home visit, but didn't said when. I completely understand this as they want to see us unexpectedely and if kids are safe at home, but nobody yet came to visit us appart from that one phone call.We are a simple family, never been involved in any incidents before with police or SS. I feel horrible that this happened to our family due to my fault. And I'm scared to death now because I have no ideas of SS processes in UK. If anyone could give me some advice it would be much appreciated.

SS will probably just want to know that you are addressing your drinking problem.

Go and see your GP about it and get some help - that way, you can tell SS you are being pro-active in dealing with the issue.

Yes absolutely what pp said.

SS aim will be to support you and support you looking after your family and keeping everyone safe.

There ar various different interventions they can do but again all will be around supporting you to take care of your kids.

I agree the main thing is support with your drinking - please do go see your GP. I do know it can be hard to get appointments but it is importanr. The supoort for this varies thoughout the country.

I know it's hard but please see this as a lifeline to get some help and support and they may be able to work with you if there are any other issues you are struggling with.

What the two first posters said.

Do you drink regularly or a lot? I wouldn't have thought two cans on your day off constitués a drinking problem however doing it before the school run is ill advised. Your post reads you fell over because you were trying to avoid getting splashed which may have been the case had you not had a drink- or were you tipsy enough and unsteady on your feet that it's really the alcohol that caused you to fall the splash was just the catalyst?

SS unlikely to do much. They may visit to check house clean and there is food and kids have what they need etc. You just have to repeat what you have said here- that you feel bad about what's happened and won't be drinking again.

I don't drink a lot or regularly. I'm working full time morning shift and my husband is working PM shifts. I'm collecting my kids from school every day and if I would be drinking regularly school definitely would notice that

Was there a reason you chose to drink before collecting your children?
Are you happy with your husband and life in general is ok?

I wouldn’t jump to you ‘needing to address your drinking problem’ if you drank a couple of tinnies as a one-off!

It sounds like you were in a rush, were startled when you were splashed by a truck and lost your balance. I hope you’re not too bruised or sore!

It's a difficult situation because you're unlikely to have been sober after 2 cans of beer when collecting your children. You would have been a bit tipsy at least which may or may not have contributed to your fall, but that's the way it looks. I don't think you automatically have a drinking problem but it's not great to do it before collecting your children and especially where staff have seen you. You know that now though. I think all you can do is be honest and get help if you think you do have a drinking problem. I hope you're feeling better.