CM CLUB - help! Social Services access visits

[breadandroses]

Hi,
Social Services want to hold an access visit at my house between mother and child. The social worker called to say could she drop by for an hour to see him. Apparantly I am supposed to stay on the premises, which I am fine with. The social worker has said the mother will be calling on her own.My question is; is this level of informality normal? What problems might there be that I might need to anticipate? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill or are ss taking advantage? The mother hasn't seen the child in 3 months and he's now walking, basically I'm worried about coping with her reaction, what if she tries to take him etc.

I know I should phone the social worker with a sensible list of questions but I thought someone here may have had experience of this (plus it's the middle of the night!)

Bty Katymac am reading your nursery plans they sound wonderful, esp the green slant.

Hannah

I think asking the SW some questions is quite reasonable - you need to protect your other children, your family, the child you mind & his family

I think questons like

1. What do I do if she doesn't turn up?
2. If she's very late can I say that it's inconvenient
3. what happens if she trys to take the child
4. What about if I feel her behaviour is unacceptable
5. Or if she upsets the baby

I'm sure the SW will have answers and these questions will often lead on to other questions. Mind you the mum might just be so grateful to see her baby she will bend ove backwards not to cause any alarm.

(ps thanks about the nursery)

Thanks, am feeling valmer about it now that it's not the small hours! Just seems slightly fishy cos I know they have dedicated access centres.

That should be "calmer", I'm knacked.

I would refuse completely unless the social worker was able to include me as a professional and divulge the full circumstances of the child's separation from it's mother.
You are right about needing to protect your family. Your own home is no place to take risks unless you are fully aware of all circumstances and happy to go ahead.
Would this social worker be prepared to have an access visit in HER own family home?
Is there a history of substance abuse/violence/intimidation etc from ANY mamber of the family?
I have had a mother walk into my house at collection time with two 'friends' who I was convinced at the time were casing the place. The child was subsequently removed into care for reasons I know nothing about - nor have any right to know about.
Don't let yourself be used by social workers.

thanks Gooseegg,

am unsure as I know the mum slightly and want to help facilitate her seeing him (she came out of a YOI recently and hasn't seen him yet).

But I don't want to feel used by ss if it should be their job to facilitate access.

Shheesh!

That is what is so bloody tough about this job - the guilt that I will feel if I say no.

Ok have decided.

Have just spoke to duty social worker and she echoed Goosey, she also said it sounds like an access centre job to her.
Thanks for reading!

i would only do it if a social worker came along to with the mother

what if you needed the toilet during her visit or one of the children did you would have to take all of them with you including her baby as she could run with the child while you are busy

think its best in a centre with trained staff