not an aibu but need an answer fast please

[Charliefarlie1192]

if a mother was to be sectioned for sucicidal tendancies, self harm, delusions, etc where would she stand as far as her kids were concerened i.e would they be taken off her, would she have ss on her case?

If they had no one to stay with while she was sectioned then yes a foster carer would be found

Too broad a question I am afraid as so much depends on the individual case.

However it would be normal for the health authorities to inform the social services if any risk of harm is present, that could place a child at risk..

It would depend on the persons's circumstances and if there were other adult carers in the home. SS would not be "on her case" but may well be involved in ensuring that the children have safe and appropriate care. They may, or may not, decide that it is in the children's interests that they are looked after outside the home, either with other family members or in foster care but it does not follow that they will do so. There would usually be liaison between SS, mental health services and anyone else involved to ensure there circumstances are looked at holistically.

ok, so what if the kids could stay with their father whilst she was sectioned?

do you think she would have a hard time having them return to her care?

Well if she was sectioned she would be in a secure unit or similar so yes her children would be possibly put into emergency foster care unless there was a close family relative to step in (Kids dad/Aunt/grandma etc)

I would have thought SS would be automatically notified but depends on many elements I guess?

Difficult to advice not knowing details-sorry.

Are you ok op?

"would they be taken off her"

Not indefinately,if she was fit to parent after treatment and complying with the recomendations.

I have had dealings with two cases lately that the mothers have had their children returned. One with the support of family and one without.

I would also add that it could be part of a positive treatment plan that organised contact is maintained so having children removed and kept in isolation from parent with mh issues is not a given.

Are you asking for yourself? Do you need help?

I'm sure if she could demonstrate that with support she was safe around the kids then she cold have access but the SS first priority would be the childrens welfare.

OP are you the mother in question?

Charliefarlie, with respect you are not asking this question in the right place. MNers may generally be a nice group of people, but you need to speak to a professional who knows your circumstances. I would suggest your GP or the doctors involved in this case.

Ime everything is done to keep mother and child together.

"I would have thought SS would be automatically notified but depends on many elements I guess?"

SS should always be informed if a parent is sectioned, that has residency.

Family will be looked at first, if they are available the children will be placed in their care with SS involvement.

yes I need help. I think I am going to really hurt myself if i dont get it

Kids are at their dads till tonight. I have already hurt myself quite a lot i cant walk properly and I am having strange thoughts

"do you think she would have a hard time having them return to her care"

There will be assessments done, what age are the children?

A and E now OP or crisis team if you have one, whatever is quicker.

Charlie, I think you need to ask a straight question, or better yet seek help from RL sources of help who can give you much more accurate information. These boards are not that great a place for the kind of info you are looking for as guesswork or conjecture often passes for information.

I am not going to the hospital unless I know my kids wont be taken away they are all I have got, they are my whole world

If you access help because you cannot cope, this will always be looked at favourably, as it shows that you are self aware and do what is needed to protect yourself and children.

I am a CP SW.

hopefully whatever was best for the child would take priority

I knew a lady who this happened to (in Australia, I add). Her kids stayed put with Dad, and when she was better/cleared for release, she went home and had lots of support afterwards... there was no question of the kids being taken away or her not returning to the family home.

It would be harder if she was either a single parent, or she expressed a wish to harm her children... then SS may well decide it was in the childrens' interests to have alternative care while she focussed on her treatment.

Horrible situation, I hope you're OK

You shouldn't be thinking about your children just now, OP, you need to focus on yourself. You need to get the help you need.

Please phone someone for help x

Get yourself down to A&E or somewhere - I do hope you get help soon and that things improve for you.

I am the daughter of a mum who was frequently sectioned sometimes, if dad was not able to look after us, we were put into care sometimes with a grandparent but sometimes foster care. We were always given back once things improved though.