Social services referral

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Hi,

I have posted another thread under MH re this issue a while ago but was wondering if any one can give me some advice as to what i can do legally regarding this.

I was referred to ss when pregnant without my knowledge due to history of MH issues. Was seen a couple of times sfter the birth (which was truly horrific due to ss alert) then told i would be discharged. I was also told by the ss manager that I was referred as people with mental health problems are unpredictable

I
found out a during my pregnancy that there was a child protection alert added to the hospital computer that is not exclusive to just the local hospital, it covers the police, GP, all hospitals in the London borough, children?s centres etc etc. My husband and I where never told anything about this, it was never discussed with us. I only found out when i tried to cancel an unnecessary outpatients appointment when pregnant. After hearing a muffled conversation between the receptionists after i gave my name, i was told i was not allowed to cancel. I have since been in touch with the hospital who says that the alert should not have been added as our dd was never under any child protection procedures. However the alert remains and is having/ has had devastating consequences for us. I feel so overwhelmed by all of this. I have had a horrific experience that is far to much to mention in one post. It is also ongoing and really don't know what to do. Unfortunately we are not entitled to legal aid and we cannot afford to pay.

SS have been so antagonistic I am terrified of speaking to them. DD is now 6 months old.

If you want any warning markers to be removed then you have to begin a dialogue with Social Services.

thanks.

Make a patient records request to the Hospital and ask for a copy of all your notes for the ante-natal and post-natal visits. Try to find out the name of the person who made the original suggestion about child protection concerns.

Social Services just have no understanding about mental health. If you ask for help they are just prejudiced against you.

The OP says that she is terrified of speaking to them....my comment was a suggestion that you will never alter things if you do not communicate with the agency that holds this information.

Don't focus on the initial referral but focus on showing how such a marker or referral is irrelevant and that you are quite capable of caring for your child.

Do SS still want to speak to you?

ask them which team it is that wants to speak to you. Ask them what happens if you refuse to speak to them? ask them what support they will offer you.

could a supportive HV/GP help with this?

Sorry, in my confused haze i re posted this. Under huge amounts of stress atm!!

Social serives no longer want to speak to me and have closed my case. If any safeguarding concerns are raised via hv gp then they will re open.

Yes, i am terrified of speaking to them, they have been incredibly antagonistic and intimidating. They have to be heard to be believed.

It did pluck up courage to ask the manager about the alert and she said there was no alert, so in my opinion they dont know there arse from there elbow. I did see a psychiatrist during my pregnancy and he has confirmed the alert and agrees it should never have been there. He took it up with the head of safeguarding of my local trust and she has said it should not be there also but despite trying to remove it they have told me they are unable too.

What we are going through is really unbelievable and horrendous. I cannot seek the help of hv or gp as i am now genuinely terrified of ever going to a statutory service again.

The professional failings and incompetence i have been exposed too is out of this world. At no point have i been given any reassuring explanation as to why the alert was there in the first place.
My question was, what can I legally do about this. I think there has been a serious mistake. Not sure by who, NHS, Social services? If it is possible I would like to throw the book at them. I don?t have the energy to fight this on my own. It has had devastating impact on us and just trying to maintain some normality is hard enough.

Just to give you a snippet of what this alert has done.. After the birth of DD whilst in the recovery room after ecs the midwife concluded that alert meant dd was to be taken into care. She would not let me hold her, she refused to give vit k drops ( due it it been unlikely that I would be in a position to give follow on drops) She placed electronic tag on dd due to ? social concerns?.
It goes on. It has been proved alert should not have been there. I have a voicemail of psych saying so. I am going to try and get something in writing but they seen to have closed ranks and have made no further contact with me.

Contact mind- they have a legal helpline for current and former mental health service users and people with mental illness.

You can ring the legal helpline for a chat and they should help you get it sorted.

SGM your right, i do need help. This is too much too take on alone and there is A HUGE amount to unpack as you say.

Another thing that happened on friday ( which is why i have now reached breaking point). Witnessed a young child ( 2/3 year old) playing on window sill of first floor house. Window wsa slightly open and he had his legs dangeling out and i could not see an adult with him. Couldnt get to house quick enough so dialled 999.

Spoke to operator who said police on way. Child then went back and window closed. Phone 999 back to say not as urgent. Operator called me by my first name, said "is that ( name)" in the most spine chillingly patronsing way and then said the poilce are on there way. Next thing, 3 police officers barge into my home whilst i was holding dd. Took them about a min to realise there mistake. They got very nervous, apologised and left.
Took me a while for it too sink in and they had gone before i could say any thing.

Sorry, i know this is a seperate issue but it is all down to this bloody alert that should never have been added. Dont feel you have to respond, im kinda just letting off steam.

SGM you have also mentioned some helpful points that i will def add to my letter to hospital. WABP, i have been in touch with MIND leagl team. They have not been that helpful TBH. I find them abit patronising and trusting of statutory services. They come accross as very nieve. ( other people amy have more positive experiances of them but i dont).

I think the main problem is, due to there been so many things that have to be delt with that are not exclusive to just one agency or proffessional. It is a bit overwhelming.

OP would you consider moving to another LA?

Thanks sgm, it will be a long night! got alot to get done.
I have also made appointment with local MP also.(not sure if it will do anything).

ER. We are trying to move. Home on market atm but had no luck as yet. We are desperate to get out of area, its a dump and is only getting worse.

Thankyou so much TAOB X

You poor thing. This all sounds awful. You sound capable and articulate, but even so, it might be worth looking into a mental health advocate (if they've not all been made redundant) to help you with this. They can fight your corner, but are more dispassionate, and a good one will tackle this with you.

Maybe, i would prefer a solicitor but dh earns to much for legal aid but not enough to pay for one and it will cost thousands. We tried to get the case taken on pro bono and as a test case trough the time to change campaign but had no joy.

I have tried mh advocacy but not to keen as cant find one that i find helpful. Could be do to with the area im not sure.