Does anyone know if this would trigger a social services situation?

[greooa10]

Single parent to an almost 3 year old.

I am on the brink of going off sick long term (ie more than three months) due to stress/anxiety etc

I am really worried this will trigger the gp to alert social services as it will raise concerns as to whether my child is ok being looked after just by me? I have sick pay so child will still be in nursery as normal.

No.

Social services only become involved if a child is at risk of neglect or harm.

However if you need support or help with your situation you can ask.

They are not the parenting police. They are they to support

@VioletCrawleyForever could it not be a concern though if the Gp thinks I am not coping with work and therefore signing me off?

No op . Hope you feel better soon

Please don't worry. As long as you are able to meet your child's needs they won't be interested

My SIL threw my nephew across the room and he had to go to hospital and temporarily lost his sight from the trauma. That didn’t trigger social services so I very much doubt your circumstances would!

If SS had to intervene every time a parent was signed off, they’d collapse. There are many parents who’ve not worked for many years because of mental health issues.

@TestingTestingWonTooFree that was my concern really that it is essentially mental health based and therefore does it suggest I am unstable to look after my child.

thanks for the replies

Actually it could be viewed as a positive move to go off sick, acknowledging that you need to rest and prioritise your child and your health for a while.

I hope you have a supportive GP and employer and are soon feeling less overwhelmed.

I hope you get support for your mental health to enable your return to work and wellbeing

Absolutely not. Do you know how many social workers take sick leave due to stress?? A lot!

No. I suffer from clinical depression and it has never been an issue. I function as a mum and the children don't suffer at all.

Your nephew has been failed by the system here. Jesussss.

Absolutely not.

Of course not. Even those with serious mental illness eg bipolar don't have an automatic referral.

No being signed off work would imply work is causing you stress and anxiety.

Have you got support in place?

This wouldn’t meet the threshold for a SS review.

There must surely have been an admin failure then, we get a call every time we attend a&e regardless of what the reason is!

No nothing, I believe it’s because they seem like a lovely middle class white family.

How would you know if that triggered social services or not? There's no reason anyone would tell you if it did.

No. I'm not a SW buy I work closely with SWs and they are forever getting signed off sick due to stress.

If a child attends a&e ss are informed depending on age and injury. If injury is inconsistent with age ss will be informed and they will likely call you. You will not be contacted due to stress/anxiety, only if that stress/anxiety results in neglect or a safeguard concern.

This seems incredibly unlikely. Why would a HCP risk their job over not reporting.

I work in complex mental health setting with parents with severe mental health problems. It's not standard practice to refer to social services just because someone has a mental health problem. The vast majority are excellent parents.

It shouldn't cause an issue op. In fact, you going to the gp and requesting support for your emotional wellbeing would be seen as a protective factor because you're addressing it appropriately.

I will caveat that by saying that if you tell them you aren't coping at home or you are actively suicidal then that might trigger a referral to support you and your child but if that's the case then you deserve support and all efforts would be put into keeping you both safe together and helping you to manage.

If its a work issue and you're not at risk of immediate harm then I think it would be seen very positively that you're asking for help and support.

I don't think so

It would he very unusual to be signed off for 3 months plus in the first instance though. What makes you think that will happen?

Eh.....this should absolutely have been referred if he sustained an injury requiring hospital treatment even if part of game, sport, whatever......this is very concerning.