**Trigger Warning** Title edited by MNHQ Very distressing news story about murder of 24 day old baby

[A580Hojas]

Aibu to not comprehend how it can be possible that newborn baby Stanley Davies, who had been in hospital on 3 occasions with broken ribs and limbs (if I am reading the reporting correctly) was sent back home with his parents and not removed from them by Social Services? I just cannot fathom how that could happen.

Someone is guilty of failing massively in their duty of care here (I refer to the professionals, not his parents). Unless any more knowledgeable Mumsnetters can explain to me how this might have happened?

He wasn't a "stepdad". He was the mother's boyfriend.

YY, tess.

And yes, AF.

On that note, I find it really odd people are so quick to point out he's not the biological father. Because we all know biological 'fathers' are not exactly uncommon perpetrators of harm to newborn babies. There's absolutely no reason to consider this man as any sort of 'father'. He wasn't.

If you want to take drugs or drink to excess DON'T have children. If you do, those children should be removed from you immediately they are born.

Although I agree with the sentiment- where will these children go?

Even years ago without the huge cuts to funding that have taken place in recent years I’ve known children be placed 3 or 4 counties away as there were no placements any nearer. Which then obviously takes up more of a SW extremely limited time as any visit takes a most of a day rather than an hour (unless they are able to transfer to a more local service which often isn’t an option) and costs more of the limited funds in paying for contact costs etc.

Although obviously it goes without saying that that option is better than the worst outcome- I’ve just reread my post and I’m not saying that it’s an ok situation whatsoever.

My toil as a sw is crazy. I never work 37 hours a week nor know any sw who do who work in children's services.

The staff retention is shocking.

In my last LA we had expenses. In my current one we only have mileage. So any money I spend on resources or god forbid an Ice cream for a kid who I work with I have to pay for myself.

To get money to pay for something for a child you have to attend a panel. I can't even describe that.

Most people have no idea what sw do

@TheBouquets

I apologise, we were speaking at cross purposes I thought you meant the threat was directed at social services.

Social workers can't say what you suggest. It would be against the law.

I can't comment on the 5 year thing because I have no idea what you are talking about.

I am not a SW nor would I want to be after my experiences.
I was desperately seeking help while there was violence happening to loved ones.

Looking back I know all that was wrong and just as demoralising as the beatings etc
I have or had efficient working practices and would love to rearrange the council spending. (I know my area is wasteful and I assume others are too from what has been said here about budgets)
I can see that more efficient use of money would be a start towards allowing budgets for people in need of help.
Can you imagine what it is like to be a relative of one of these lost DCs? It still haunts me that I thought I tried the appropriate people i.e. Police and SS but it did not save anyone.

Queenofthedrivensnow

I add a few miles on my mileage here and there - fuck them.

They get my time for free already.

Facing up to 14 years

Should be life the evil bastards

Hope someone 'snaps' a few of their bones whilst inside and smashes their skulls with a 'blunt instrument'

@TheBouquets

You could just post "this is bad it should be better" a sentiment we can all agree with but doesn't really add anything.

Council budgets are mainly adult social care now, around 40% I think and it's not enough. That big envelope just isn't gonna make the difference you think it will.

@Tessliketrees To try to clarify Police and SS were aware of the criminal activities of the violent person. I did not and will never agree that the situation should have been allowed to continue for 5 years before SS and Police had to see the results of the violence.
This is why I think it should be that any parent in such a situation should not be given loads of time before action is taken.
People suffered for 5 years as a result of the violent criminal. It is not acceptable

What a sick pair of monsters! I hope they rot in a pit.

I gave my children up because I recognised I couldn't look after them at this time. I live with a broken heart but, my babies are (hopefully) being well looked after.

I don't claim mileage as I don't have time to fill out the form 😫

Im constantly buying stuff out my own money for families. I probably take home about £5 an hour once you take that plus the overtime into account.

They haven't learnt, it's heartbreaking, you would think that after something like baby P 😭 it wouldn't ever happen again.

darkriver198868

@TheBouquets

I really can't comment on anecdotal and possibly fictional scenarios.

I will say that people aren't given a standard 5 years and surely you know this?

To get money to pay for something for a child you have to attend a panel. I can't even describe that

You should come over to the dark side (adults). There are 3 panels I regularly attend now. Then again I rarely have to set foot inside a court.

Bruising behind the ear is extremely worrying, can be sign of basal skull fracture aka Battle's sign - babies do have odd birthmarks on posterior head at times but I would be astounded if that was missed or not at the very least triple checked by a qualified person

No I don't expect that one envelope to make a difference but it is not essential to send out piles of letters in printed (costly) envelopes when people are suffering. Bundles of silly envelopes is just an example of the wastefulness. Printed envelopes are not essential. Financial rationalisation is what is required urgently in my council for a start.

Printed envelopes are not essential

What do you mean when you say printed envelope?

@Tessliketrees It did go on for years. I could not understand why. I wish I could prove things to you but I cant even give dates and events as that would be too much info for public forum. Definitely it was years.
I could PM you dates if you want. Other stuff happened that was ridiculous in the extreme.

@TheBouquets

Anyway my point is even if we solved all the envelope wastage the money would go to the black hole that is ASC. It swallows everything.

Bouquets the envelopes were doubtless automatically generated. The automatic system was made to save staff time. Staff time is more expensive than a few extra envelopes.

You don't automatically know better than the qualified, trained and present workers within the system.

The bouquets. ..why are you making this all about you?

On that note, I find it really odd people are so quick to point out he's not the biological father. Because we all know biological 'fathers' are not exactly uncommon perpetrators of harm to newborn babies.

While it's absolutely true that some biological parents harm their children, I'm pretty sure that stepfathers (or the child's mother's boyfriend) are statistically likelier to do so. This particular paper looks at the situation in Australia, but I'd be surprised if things were drastically different here in the UK:

www.cis.org.au/app/uploads/2015/04/images/stories/issue-analysis/ia142.pdf