*Trigger Warning * Doctor has put on form Dd not suitable for working with children.

[sofeduprn]

Recently Dd made an attempt on her life. She had been drinking and had a row with her bf.

She was hospitalised and tablets changed etc

As part of the discussion on causes etc it has identified she hated her job and the relationship with Bf was ending. So she interviewed for a job working with children and was offered the job. The relationship is now over.

The GP has put on the form that Dd isn't suitable for working with children due to recent overdose.

Has anyone had any experience of this. How long would her mental health need to be stable before she is likely to be considered able to accept a job like this.

Is she likely to be ruled out of a lot of jobs?

I completely understand that the GP has a professional responsibility here but I am disappointed that her "fresh start" has crashed down. Probably with a bit more thought we would have anticipated this.

Any advice welcome.

How recently was the overdose?

Three weeks ago

I would say in this instance that the GP is correct to have written what they did. It's still very very early days in terms of her mental health. They'd likely want several months of stability and to see good engagement with services eg counselling to support her mental health. Three weeks after an overdose your DD won't even have begun to process what happened fully, if it was an impulsive act due to a row with her bf that almost puts her at more risk because there's nothing in place to stop it from happening again. Whilst your DD is most likely no risk to any of the children at all, I can see why the GP made the recommendation they did. It might be worth her asking her dr what they'd expect to be seeing in order to have made a different choice. I really hope your daughter (and you!) are well supported through this difficult time. I've been there myself and I can empathise with how frightening and upsetting it all is.

When you say her tablets were changed - is she already being treated for a mental health condition? Were the police involved with her recent overdose - if so this info might come to light on an enhanced DBS check.

No police involvement. She is being treated for depression and was on medication but had been discharged from community mental health. She has now been referred back.

I think her priority needs to be getting well again for her own sake rather than the goal being that she is eligible to work with children - I don't think the GP would be able to give you a timeframe for this anyway, as people have differing recovery times. I wish her all the best going forward.

I am a little bit surprised by this, because based on the information you have given I do not see how she is a risk to children. However maybe there are things you haven’t shared. And it is early days since she OD’d. I would see if things have stabilised in about 3 to. 6 months. And to see if during that period she’s not drinking, not self harming or feeling suicidal.

I work in mental health and this is very unusual. She needs to speak with her GP and ask that they seek guidance around this.

I'm surprised by this as a close relative took several overdoses in her late teens /early twenties and there was never any suggestion she should stop working with children (and this was quite recently)

I'm surprised by this as a close relative took several overdoses in her late teens /early twenties and there was never any suggestion she should stop working with children (and this was quite recently)

Thank you all for your advice and kindness.

She isn't drinking ever again. I think she really means that.

Yes I agree her working with children isn't the main issue right now but I do think a job would provide some stability and routine if she could manage to hold it down.

It seems like common sense that she isn’t currently in the right place within herself to work with children, who themselves are vulnerable, will form special attachments, and who can also be difficult to work with at times. It doesn’t seem a good fit for her to be seeking out a career with children at a
time when she is so vulnerable.

Why does the GP have anything to do with her new job? They shouldn’t have any input, it should all be confidential. If she feels ready to start work and wants to work with children she is entitled to. A GP cannot “warn” a company not to employ her.

Like PP said - how does her potential employer know that what the GP has said? They shouldn’t be able to check medical records, so if she thinks she is capable of the job then she should take it. But it would be sensible for you to monitor her in case the job has any adverse impacts on her mental health.

There is a form that needs to be filled in by the GP. It's a health and safety form for working with children under 12.

What form? And how would her new employer even be aware of it?

Put on what form?

Similar to this https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6605a59ee8c442197c22032b/Socialcarehealthself-declarationformApr24a1.pdf

It's unusual for a GP to write on a form.

While the GP may well be correct, they need to be able to justify it which they probably can't as they are not qualified in Occupational Health or risk assessment for work with children.

I don't think it's for the GP to decide if she should be working with children or not

"not found"

https://setrust.hscni.net/download/265/i-want-to-open-a-daycare-facilitiy/3325/healthdeclarationpdf3.pdf

Hopefully this link will work.