Late night post- worried I’ve made a mistake re SS

[IcyBlonde15]

I am up late anxious about it. My son has severe autism and we’ve had a rough few weeks to say the least. I requested an appointment with my GP and asked him for a referral to SS to see if we could get a disability social worker as a few people have suggested it to me. He said yes, he would make the referral and pointed me in the direction of other support such as autism charities which I have contacted. Today, I received a letter from him saying he has referred me to Gateway which I think is child protection. I am now worried they will think he has referred me because he is concerned for my kids welfare and that an intrusive investigation is going to start. I am just not sure I could cope with the stress. I am regretting starting this now and just wish I hadn’t bothered. We largely cope on our own and at the end of the day we do manage, I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed when me made the phone call because we don’t get any outside help at all from family etc

I don’t know where you are based but it sounds with a name like that that the service does the initial assessment and then can place you with the right team. That’s quite normal, and I imagine the assessment will be focused on what supports your son needs now, and then planning for the future. I wouldn’t worry, most referrals go through a screening process and this sounds like first point of contact for you.

Most social services have a very general screening section who collect basic data and refer on to the right section.
This isn't a child protection issue so I wouldn't worry about that.

Social services are there to help

Please don't worry. If your GP was referring you because of concerns he would have to let you know this. The Gateway sound like an initial screening service to signpost you to the right sources of support. I'm sorry you've had a rough few weeks. Your best bet may be contacting other parents with autistic children. Keep up the good work and look after yourself as much as you can.

Social Services are here to help. I have one child with ASD and other LDs. We have a family social worker. They help us navigate the system and enable we get the supports we need.

Gateway is just the entry service to social work teams. They’ll do the initial assessment to work out your needs and then refer on for you to be allocated a social worker if the initial assessment identifies that as appropriate. Your GP hasn’t made a child protection referral, he’s just used jargon in his letter to you.

Try not to worry OP. We have a disability SW and some times when she come round I'm surprised she isnt concerned about that state of the house ( bad weeks the housework slides) but in 4 years theres never been any CP concerns even with a sinkfull of washing up and clutter everywhere.

I don’t know much about SS but you sound like a responsible and caring mother and SS will see that.

Social service

Social services often have one referral point and then it is allocated afterwards. Ours is similar.

Gateway is part of the referral process it isn't child protection. Don't worry x