Why would a SW need to interview children alone

[Nuthatches]

I have 2 DC (teens). DC1 with severe learning difficulties and DC2 with a host of severe MH issues (depression, anxiety, undiagnosed Asd (waiting list). DC2 attempted to commit suicide a few days ago. SW has been assigned. She called and says she needs to speak to both children alone. Why would she need to speak to DC1 who has nothing to do with the whole suicide attempt and doesn't understand what is going on in any case? Is this a child protection case?

Hi op hope your OK. I have been through simlar with my ds. I have had alot of problems with my ds we begged for help from CAMHS . Tried putting other support in place whilst we were waiting. Kept getting rejected from CAMHS over and over . It was only when DS took an overdose that they suddenly wanted to know.

We had a social worker for a short while. She was very interfering over stuff not realivent like what time do I give the kids tea. But we was on the same page regarding DS . I gave her permission to talk to teen Dd. And teen ds ( the one who tried to end his life) my 2 younger children I did not give permission.. ds was 16-ish at the time and in the end he ended up with his own social worker. And case for the family was closed.

How old is your DC 2?

Oh no, how annoying! I hope something comes up that you don't have to wait six years.

Your anger at the lack of the support that should have been available to you is completely understandable. The sense of pointlessness and unnecessary stress your dc1 could be caused by the SW talking to them alone is entirely reasonable. Your huge stress levels from parenting your dc with all their inherent challenges is understood ( in theory anyway, no one truly knows how hard your journey has been but lots of us have an idea of your struggle if we have had similar circumstances ourselves).
However, none of that trumps the safeguarding criteria SS must meet. For every family that has to endure this unnecessarily like you, there will be a home where a skilled SW will be able to spot abuse through these 'alone' meetings. It's shit but some kids are hideously neglected and abused and they just have to check every situation.
The suggestion to have a 3 rd party present is a sound one though. There are some awesome SW's out there but there are some terrible ones out there too.
I'm so sorry you're dc2 has had such an awful time. I really hope that SW intervention now means you will finally get some help.
All the best.