What do Children's Services do?

[Manthide]

I was deleting old emails and I found an unread one from 4 months ago from Children 's Services. I was shocked as it said they had received an anonymous referral with concerns for my children. It said they would like to discuss this with me and offer support. It was from an Early Help Officer. I haven't heard from them since! I am a bit embarrassed wondering what was reported to them and by whom. Should I contact them or let sleeping dogs lie? Is there a file on me? The only thing I can think of is that my 11 year old told people she only got a print stick for Xmas ( she did get a few other small things) but we had no money for much. Also she may have moaned about having to eat liver though she doesn't like it as it is cheap! I can't think of any other reasons - and these sound a bit trivial. She does have fsm.

I meant print stick

Delete it without responding and think no more of it. It sounds like a spam email to me. I worked for children services for a bit- although albeit several years ago- and I never ever emailed a parent to make initial contact regarding a concern. It was all very formal so I'd phone or make contact via the school. When phoning I had to make absolutely sure I was speaking to the actual parent in question. I could never imagine sending an email - with data protection and all that - imagine if you got it wrong, or they never received it etc. Much too unreliable and therefore unprofessional for the initial contact.

I bet it's no more children services than the person emailing me is an African prince who needs help accessing his millions. Or to give another example - if you got an email like that from the "police" you would know it was spam. Just like the police, social services have the means to get your proper contact details and they also have the legal responsibility to make proper contact if there is a concern they feel needs their attention. Not some random email.

Genuinely just ignore.

Just noted you said your daughter has fsm? Is that like a family support mentor?

If this isn't the first time social services have made contact with you - even if it is via their early help services such as family support - and you have given your email address as an approved method of communication- THEN perhaps they are emailing you to let you know the case has been escalated? Or noted to require more input? But I doubt it as 4 months is a long time and someone would have called you by now if they felt there was a cause for concern for your children... I believe when I worked there timescales - even for just a generic family support assessment (early intervention stuff) was that it needed to be completed within 40 days. So they'd have definitely followed up by now.

I'd say just ignore or if you have concerns ask the fsm or school if they've heard anything.

I assumed FSM= free school meals

Yes I meant free school meals. The email did look genuine but I'll try and forget it. As you say if there were any real concerns they'd have contacted me again.