Social services is visiting my friends home has she done something ?

[Chattypatty1]

My friend is going through family court with her ex. The judge has ordered for social services to look at her home.

why is social services involved and why would a family judge ordered for her home to be checked by social services. Isn’t that quite extreme?

Am I wrong for assuming something is up ? I know she’s struggling, but I don’t want to impose if it is normal practice.

Well in what way were you planning on 'imposing' if it isn't normal practice?

I would imagine there has been some mud slinging going between the two parents and some accusations about parenting standards could have been made.

This isn't especially uncommon in acrimonious splits. And SS must check there are no safeguarding concerns in either home. They need the full picture and that includes both parents houses and situations.

But it is private family business so you may never know exactly why they were involved.

Either way I wouldn't be 'imposing' on my friend at this difficult time. Other than offering support and a sympathetic ear.

@ShawnaMacallister im not asking in any bad way. If it’s normal practice I won’t get involved.

I was asking mumsnet because if it’s of concern I will help her as she hasn’t got a bed etc for her LO

It would take social services involvement for you to help a friend you know has no bed for her DC?

Normal practice or not you dont need to get involved

@Lmnop22 i offered her a travel cot and she didn’t take it. If it’s serious i will highlight why it’s important for her to take it. Which is why im checking on here if the visit is of concern

I was asking simple question, what’s with the offence. She phoned up worried and I wasn’t sure if it’s Normal or not

Yes, if she hasn’t got a bed for her LO and you can help, do. They will have an issue with that and it may reflect poorly on her.

Does she need a bed for her child or not? Frankly if the children don't have beds, then it's a good thing SS are getting involved. The father is pretty scummy if he's just left his kids in an unsuitable home (if thats the situation).

children's services are a good idea

If she hasent got an appropriate bed for her child, social services will be concerned its a basic need..

I don’t want her to get in trouble as I know she’s not a bad person. i told her to take the travel cot but she said the LO sleep by the wall and she puts blankets. So I don’t want to force my opinions if social services don’t mind things like this.

is it best she has something separate for the child to be in ?

dont ask here, she has her own ideas, as i am sure you do

I am guessing she co sleeps with the child/baby? If so, yes, she should except the travel, cot from you as social services will want her child to have its own bed/cot (I had a friend years ago that social services on her back for this).

If she’s going through family court it’s likely the father of the child has raised concerns about the child to social services. Ideally she needs to have a bed for the child, she needs to do what ever social services advise her to do. Hopefully there will be no other concerns.

Why doesn’t her child have a bed?

Ah, makes sense.

let her take advice from the professionals op

She should call the social worker and discuss it with them. Or read the order that she will have been sent from the court following the hearing. Or google a section 7 report!

That’s kind of you. I think she probably does sound like she needs support right now even if the involvement of social services is malicious from her ex. Keep trying!

If there is a court case going on then I'm guessing he's not leaving them in an unsuitable situation!

How old is the baby?
co sleeping by itself isn't a huge concern as long as safer co sleeping practices are used. But it can be a real danger if other features of neglect are present.

False allegations can get thrown about a lot in family court and this leads to the judge requesting a report from social services to check everything is okay.

(Work in social care here) The court may well have been ordered to complete a Section 7 report as part of the divorce proceedings which a Social Worker will do to inform decisions around where children should live/contact and so on if there are disagreements between what both parties want. Obviously part of this will include home environment, any safeguarding considerations etc., so does not necessarily mean there is anything “wrong” as such.

www.cafcass.gov.uk/parent-carer-or-family-member/applications-child-arrangements-order/court-process-and-what-expect/court-asks-fca-write-report-if-your-case-goes-beyond-first-hearing-section-7-reports

But if your friend is concerned then they need to seek clarification on specifically what the involvement is, who with, the remit of this, and any assessments being completed if applicable.

It depends why they have no bed. If she can't afford one, then help is available. If she doesn't care, then it's a concern. If they are ND and eat beds, jump on them or destroy them in other ways then clearly she needs additional support.

It’s not clear from your post why they don’t have beds. If they’re sleeping on the floor simply because she hasn’t provided them with a bed then no I wouldn’t be offering her to cover up / mask the situation with a travel cot as clearly SS need the real and proper picture in order to help