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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Child health and welfare services calling. Wtf?

96 replies

Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 13:34

Posting for traffic, apologies. Freaking out somewhat. I’ve just had a voicemail from someone from ‘child health and welfare services’. Missed the call and now only going to a support workers voicemail.

I am racking my brains wtf this could be about, and panicking that it’s a Sunday and may not be able to get though until tomorrow. I have 2 healthy teen dc with no ‘issues’.

Help, anyone?

OP posts:
Lockheart · 23/08/2020 13:37

I wouldn't be freaking out.

It could be a wrong number, mistaken identity, a general survey, a prank call.

Just leave a voicemail with them and wait for them to call you back.

DowntonCrabby · 23/08/2020 13:38

If there are no issues I’d try not to worry.

Leave a message on the voicemail saying you’re returning the missed call, will try agin tomorrow and they can try you again today if they wish. Just to show you are engaging.

Could the teens have got into any trouble when out and about without you?

Pipandmum · 23/08/2020 13:41

It could be about someone they know. Have you asked your kids?

Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 13:42

I’m sure it’s not mistaken identity as they used my name in the voicemail.

My teens have rarely been out due to lockdown, park with mates, back by 10pm. I’m guessing it’s something though.

OP posts:
Apolloanddaphne · 23/08/2020 13:42

What did the message say? It is possibly a wrong number.

Apolloanddaphne · 23/08/2020 13:45

Is it possible they may be wanting to advise you about a relative who has been accused of sexual crimes towards children? I used to have to call and speak to random people about this when I was a child protection SW.

Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 13:45

I haven’t asked them yet. Ds is at football and dd is a worrier. Ds does have a friend in foster care, but no issues that I know of. Not sure why they would ask for me. Ds is 17 and Dd 15

OP posts:
Bbq1 · 23/08/2020 13:45

Ds is 14. We had a letter from school recently saying they would be in touch soon to catch up on inoculations missed due to Covid. It's probably related to that.

Dogsaresomucheasier · 23/08/2020 13:46

Have your kids engaged fully with school over lockdown? Several of ours have been referred for, on the face of it, not handing in homework, but the nature of our current situation has escalated to a SS welfare check.

Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 13:46

@Apolloanddaphne that crossed my mind. How would they get my details though?

OP posts:
Apolloanddaphne · 23/08/2020 13:50

Either the people involved would give us details or we could access the schools database of pupils and get contact numbers. Just for our LA though, not everywhere.

Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 13:52

Message said ‘my name is .... From local authority child health and welfare services this is a message for my first name then surname, please call me back on said mobile number. I’ve called back and Left a voicemail. Voicemail message says she’s a support worker.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 13:53

Both dc have engaged with school in lockdown. Dd had innocculatons last year.

OP posts:
Princessbanana · 23/08/2020 13:58

Do not worry, like the majority of us, you have nothing to hide and will engage fully.💐

Findahouse21 · 23/08/2020 14:01

Are you in the UK?

Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 14:04

@Findahouse21 yes we are.

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 23/08/2020 14:17

I've never heard of Child Health and Welfare? Who are they?

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 23/08/2020 14:18

Oh x posts. Yes sounds like a local authority social worker in a specific department.

Namechange8471 · 23/08/2020 14:20

How odd op,hope you get answers

listsandbudgets · 23/08/2020 14:21

If your ds has friend in foster care, os there any possibility at all they may have suggested to social services that they'd like to live with your family and they're sounding you out.

More likely one of the PPs has got ti right bit its just a thought

OhTheRoses · 23/08/2020 14:25

I think the concerning factor is that they are calling you on a Sunday. They have also broken data protection guidance because they have mentioned your name and said who they are - and they may have dialled a wrong number or other people may have access to your phone.

There's a potentially dodgy vibe to this.

Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 14:25

Ds friend has only ever been round twice so I’m not sure that would be it. Likewise I’ve never heard of health and welfare services. The support worker said she was a health support worker I think. Dd hasn’t been to the docs for years, last time was an asthma check up and ds is under a dermatologist for his acne, but that’s is as far as health issues go.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twobigsapphires · 23/08/2020 14:27

When I called back the support worker said in her voicemail that her working hours were mom, wed and fri 9-4pm as well! So not Sunday!

OP posts:
Igotthemheavyboobs · 23/08/2020 14:30

I think it's probably a scam, I had a call the other day saying a warrant had been issued for my arrest due to tax fraud. They wanted me to press 1 to notify the police of my location for arrest.

Sounds dodgy giving a mobile number etc, try not to worry and wait for them to call back.

idontneedhelpyoudo · 23/08/2020 14:30

I'd maybe try the number a few more times maybe once every 40 mins or so just to put my mind at rest. They are clearly working today.

Maybe ds friend needs a safe place to stay tonight or they have questions about what he's been like when you've seen him. I guess you won't know until she picks up. Can understand the worry though.

Try not to panic. If you've got no concerns over your children, you have nothing to hide from them and It will be something silly Mx

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