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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not know what to do about Social services anymore!

234 replies

UndertheCedartree · 26/05/2019 04:03

I had a breakdown a couple of years ago and SS became involved with my children. They were put on the Child in Need register. From the beginning I was very open and compliant and initially found them helpful and supportive.
About 6 months later I met my boyfriend and told the social worker who said they would need to do a background check which was no problem. So I thought the background check had been done but a year later I suddenly get told that they have just completed the background check and they need to do a risk assessment. While that is completed he mustn't be alone with the children.
We were a bit annoyed that it was completed so late and that it would disrupt the children's routine as my boyfriend picked them up/dropped them and looked after them for a bit every week. But we sorted that out and the SW said thаt it would be completed in a few weeks.
So we waited patiently but then the SW went off sick and a new SW was allocated to our family. She made the decision that my boyfriend couldn't be around the children atall while the risk assessment was completed (she had never met us at this point and has never told me the reason for this.)
Deadline after deadline has been agreed and each time I'm told we will definitely get the result of the risk assessment but it never happens. It has been 6 months now. When it was meant to be completed in a few weeks. It has caused me a lot of upset as I want to be able to spend time together with my children and boyfriend. My children have also been upset as they'd formed a bond with him and they really notice he's not there at special occasions.
Anyway a month ago the SW told me the report was complete and she would discuss it with me at the next Child in need meeting. I begged her to tell me the result on the phone but she wouldn't. (I have no worries about the result as all the professionals have said there is no problem with him being around/looking after the children. Also my SW has said the result will definitely be positive)
She didn't turn up at the meeting and I was told by the duty SW that I would be told the result within a week. That came and went. So now our SW has gone off sick and we have yet another allocated to our case (our 6th). I spoke to her on the phone and asked her to give me the results of the risk assessment. She told me she would need to complete her own enquiries starting with an appointment with my boyfriend.

I really just want to scream! I feel I just can't take it anymore. We all need/want him to be with us. They have taken my support away. They were meant to be helping but they have just made things worse. My relationship with SS has completely broken down now. I just don't know what to say anymore to put across how harmful this is to me and my children.Sad

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 29/05/2019 07:59

@fenellavelour - the SW has only ever turned up at the meeting once! We have someone else comes along and chairs the meeting. Some time ago she said if the deadline for completion wasn't met (as well as some other things that needed moving forward) there would be grounds for a massive complaint

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 29/05/2019 08:05

@omzlas if you read the thread my boyfriend doesn't see the children. So yes every weekend is just me and my children

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 29/05/2019 08:30

I accept that it was a bad decision to start a relationship and to move things forward so fast. (As I have already said) I would have expected better support from SS, though.

Those saying 'some random' 'a stranger' - as I have said he was a friend of a friend so I knew about his background, I had met his family and known him for 7 months before he met the children. Looking back, though I think this was too soon - but he wasn't 'a stranger'

OP posts:
SimplySteveRedux · 29/05/2019 08:47

SS were involved with DD, it was a nightmare experience, DP has PTSD from it all. There was evidence of collusion between certain parties (headteacher and educational psychologist) before a potential CPP. So anecdotally I wouldn't trust them for a second. However, I'm totally with bluntness here.

goodfornothinggnome · 29/05/2019 08:56

Sorry, but theres something concerning SS. and can I just say that when I was 18 I was really vulnerable, a I had a "friend" who waas sort of pushing their way further and further into me and DDs lives, he turned out to be a paedophile- he never hurt DD- police turned up at his house one day when I was there. Social services were involved for a brief period. When I wanted to get back with my ex boyfriend SS mentioned that they would need to do a background check on him, my first instinct was to say no. I just remember explaining that he was never going to be a danger to DD, he worked hard, the only trouble he had ever been in was for driving offences, and before we met. not the best case to have made, but I never heard any further from it. and social services ceased involvement.

my point is, they have concerns for a reason. Id already proved myself to be vulnerable, and unable to choose the people i let into my life very well, and they didnt decide to do a background check on him, because everything must have sounded fairly safe.

Id advise you to see what the outcome of their investigation is, and until then really consider what these red flags are that have concerned them, because like id said, they dont follow through in the same way if they dont really have concerns.

MRex · 29/05/2019 08:57

You might have had as much advice as you're going to get now OP, you don't need to respond to every extra person turning up criticising you.

UndertheCedartree · 29/05/2019 09:46

Thanks @mrex - I think you're right.

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 29/05/2019 20:40

you don't need to respond to every extra person turning up criticising you
I agree OP.
You have been very open and honest on this thread, dignified in your responses.
You sound like you are getting much better with a clear head.
I hope life gets back to normal soon. Flowers

UndertheCedartree · 18/06/2019 16:44

UPDATE Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who was non-judgemental and helped me with my issue. I was able to communicate with SS a lot better after the advice given.

Today was our latest Child in Need meeting. The risk assessment has finally been finished and the conclusion is my boyfriend poses no risk to the children. The new SW apologised for the delay in the background check and unreasonably long time for completing the risk assessment. It was also said that the original decision that he could see the children but not alone shouldn't have been changed.

We talked about what to do if he ever didn't comply with his meds or his mental health went downhill - but it was just common sense to me.

They also talked about it being important that I have time with the children alone. Again - I'm well aware of that and have always had time alone with them and also 1:1 time with them. They suggested that my boyfriend comes over for the entire weekend every other week. For me this is too much too soon. We have planned to have some afternoons out together - trampoling, rollerskating that kind of thing and take it from there. It is my birthday soon too so I'm glad my boyfriend will be able to come to my celebration Smile

OP posts:
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