Calling Social Workers

[hittingheadagainstbrickwall]

I am not sure where to put this, so have put it here.

I desperately need to know, what is involved in having a 14 year old child, assigned to a Residential Educational Unit.

I do understand it is not something done lightly, and that it is something that is expensive, and that going into any kind of group residential unit for a troubled child can be difficult, with the mix of children she could meet.

But as a Family (extended Family) after much heartfelt talking we believe this would be the best thing for the child.

She has been moved from one family member to another, progressively getting into more and more trouble. Alcohol and substance abuse, being involved as well.

She has had effectively no education since Christmas, constantly refusing to go to first school, then a learning centre.

Has been repeatedly arrested and bailed, and broken the bail conditions.

She has not seen CAHMS, although we asked for her to see them six months ago.

I and another member of her family are now to meet with the SW manager, after a failed meeting with SW's yesterday, who basically could give us no answers to anything, but f.ro us to make a plan of what we would like for the child, which she has said she will refuse to follow.

We need to know where we can go from here, what options are available before this next meeting.

Does the child want this? If she does/ is persuadable an advocate may be able to help. Judging by my department these are the sort of things which are being blocked due to cost. (Social care comes under the 40% cuts)

Is she ' looked after' if not the going through care proceedings can also work as the court can order stuff like this.but it's quite a drastic way of doing it.

Will/does her current school support a move to residential school? Education would be part funding a placement so their support is needed too

Re the camhs referral did it happen? There are v long waiting lists in my area so the delay could be due to this. If she is looked after this sort of thing could be discussedat CLA review.

Are Ed Welfare involved? I assume they would be with that sort of attendance. Are YOT involved? Both would be instrumental in recommending a place.

Thank You for answering.

The child does not want to go to any form of education full stop.

The school she was at refused to have her back after a series of exclusions, so a Learning centre was set up for her of the 10 sessions, she has refused to attend 9 of them, the 10 is today, I am not expecting her to attend.

She is on the Child Protection Register and the Family are receiving SW attendance, although she has now on her 3rd SW in 6 months, each having to start from the beginning, and the last two have not seemed to know what they can do, repeatedly stating they will have to speak to manager and get back to us, but rarely do.

A new SW took over yesterday who does seem more switched on.

Believe me we are not trying to take this step lightly, but to try and give a beautiful intelligent, but badly damaged young girl some sort of chance of a life.

We only found out yesterday that the last SW had not even asked for CAHMS although we had.

Ed welfare are involved and were at yesterdays meeting, they would support us in this decision..