Social worker out of order?

[Idontknowwhat2do]

A while ago I made a post about how I'd been experiencing psychosis and was struggling to cope with my 2 year old DD. After the post I spoke to the HV and she made a referal to SS for a bit of extra support. My situation hasn't improved since then and I've been suicidal but I've been working with the mental health team to help with that. A while ago I had bought something to hurt myself but worked with the team to dispose of it. But since the SW has been involved things have been very overwhelming and I don't know if I'm being unreasonable and this is normal SS behaviour or if I have a right to be fuming.

At first it started off with the social worker being half an hour late to our appointments every time, being very harsh about my suicidal thoughts and hallucinations, and calling me 7 times in the space of an hour. If I was in appointments, she got annoyed that I didn't answer, saying I needed to cooperate. So I already felt uncomfortable. My family said I should complain but I didn't want to make a fuss.

But today takes the cake. Yesterday my DM recieved 6 missed calls from SS while she was at work. She called back but the SW had gone home and they wouldn't tell her anything. Then today the SW calls her and tells her about the suicidal thoughts and that I'd bought something to hurt myself. My mum didn't know about it. She also tells her they're seeking to put me and my daughter under child protection. But they haven't even told me that yet! The SW clearly had enough time to call my DM 6 times yesterday but couldn't even drop me a text?! And I have no idea why they're disclosing personal information to my DM without talking to me first. I'm an adult, I don't live with her and she has no input in my daughters care. She doesn't even look after her!

Is this normal, am I just being unreasonable or do I have a good reason to be so angry?

OP, if you're still reading responses - the social worker has breached data protection laws by discussing your case with a third party. I realise some people may think this is okay in the cause of the greater good, but it's actually not. Professionals need to be above reproach and trustworthy, discussing confidential information makes this impossible. If allowed to continue it also creates an atmosphere which deters other service users from engaging.

Contact the ICO ico.org.uk/ and make a complaint, you have three months to do this but the sooner you start it the better.

the social worker has breached data protection laws by discussing your case with a third party.

No, she hasn’t. If there was a genuine concern for the OPs safety or the safety of her child information sharing is permitted and the SW would be strongly criticised for not sharing if, god forbid something untoward did happen. GDPR allows for sharing in these such circumstances.

Sounds like she may have broken confidentiality rules? Also doesn’t sound like she’s very sympathetic or helpful. Can you request a different sw on the basis of personality clash?

For those referencing the data protection breach, there are exemptions including vital interest ie where there is a genuine risk to life, which I'm guessing the SW would argue was the case here.

OP, I'm sorry I have no advice but I'm sorry for what you're going through

There is exceptions where GDPR can be breached and a child in danger is one of those exemptions.

I’m a ex SW I could give loads of advise, however I am not going to as I am not a mental health specialist, posters need to be aware before “commenting” that this OP is currently not of sound mind, she needs support not some of the unhelpful or scaremongering comments some posters have posted

OP speak to your SW manager, as for a meeting and take a family member to support you.

Agree with PP re the data sharing. It is very very likely the ICO would back the SW given that there is a threat to life which there clearly is.

Also if the SW has been appointed to protect the child then she hasn't broken your confidentiality she is working on behalf of the child and is reaching out to the child's family members.

Please don't wind the OP up about GDPR breaches, this is counter productive to her getting the help she needs and is more likely to derail her recovery. She needs to fight the real battles right now.

OP I think it is really important to sit down and think what you want to achieve. Do you want to get well again, be the best mum to your dd, prove this to social services and move on?

If so, how will voicing your concerns over the fact they shared your situation with your mum help you to achieve what you want?

If they have your mums details, how did they get them?

Is your mum your next of kin?

Do social services have your mum down as your next of kin?

If you have your mum as next of kin and told them, as your social worker feared you may kill yourself, perhaps while in charge of your child, how is it unacceptable for the SW to tell your mum?

Protection of your personal information can and does stop when someone is in danger.

You were in danger. Please address this first and think about your safety before engaging in any action that may not help you.

This really isn’t a breach of data protection or of safeguarding. If there is a legitimate risk to life and safety then a social worker is able to disclose information to ascertain the safety of the child.