Question about Social Services

[wavingkitty]

Hi, I wonder if anyone who knows about SS procedures can help me. When I was pg with my DD, 4 years ago now, I was very depressed, didn't want to have the baby and spent time in a MABU. No drugs or alcohol or anything like that, just very depressed. I was discharged from the hospital after 3 weeks, about 5 weeks before the baby was born. They told me in the MABU that SS would be in touch with me to get me support I needed etc.

A woman from SS came to visit before the birth, then again in the hospital. They arranged for me to see a mental health nurse, and for the midwife to come around a lot in the month after the baby's birth.

By the time she was about 3 months old, I was feeling a lot better. The woman from SS came round and told me they were closing my file and apologized that they had been involved.

Things have been basically fine since and I haven't ever heard from them again. But sometimes I think back to that time and it really upsets me that my name is on a file somewhere. What I really want to know - but don't dare to phone them to find out - is what kind of thing they were saying about me and how far it went.

For example, what does it mean to be on the at risk register (or whatever it's called)? Do they have to inform you if you are put on it? Would they have done this to me, or can they have involvement like they did with me without it going that far?

Thanks for any ideas/info. Am still freaked out by this!

my ex pertner was violent towards my son, when i left him we were down as a "child in need" its like a step down from the at risk register where they dont deem there to be a concern but like to have you kind of in limbo knowing that there could be a problem, like a child at risk of being at risk i guess. or thats my interpretation of it anyway. when my ex didnt make any contact and stopped seeing my son we were taken off that register (child in need), maybe you were on that?! though im pretty cure you can request a copy of your files?? also a health visitor would know what involvement the social services had so they may be able to put your mind at rest.

sorry i dont know much only what i found out from my experience with them, well done for getting yourself back on track, try not to worry xxx

Hi kitty

The 'at risk' register is now known as children who have a 'Child Protection Plan'. It happens after a Child Protection Case Conference (where all the professionals and family members get together to discuss the case). The child is registered under either physical abuse,sexual abuse,emotional abuse or neglect.

Yes, without a doubt,you would know if that had happened to your son. This only happens in very serious cases where the social workers etc believe a child is suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm.

It sounds as though your case was fairly straightforward and the case was closed without much intervention.

Your sons details and case notes will be stored electronically by the team who dealt with you. You have a right to access your records (although sometimes local authorities can be funny about seeing your child's - each one is different). Give your children's services team a call and you can set up a visit to go through your files so you know what information was shared.

Hope this helps - well done for how far you've come :)

As mungojerrie says above - you would seriously know if your child had been on a register.
You have a legal right to see any records held concerning you. If they won't agree to you seeing the file, you can make a formal application under the Data Protection Act to see the information. You may need to pay a small fee (probably in the region of £10).
It may be worth asking your CAB about this if you feel you need some help.

Thanks all, I feel reassured by what you've said. Not sure if I am going to ask to look at my records, though - I think it would probably freak me out too much.