Social Workers access to my medical files

[MissKegs]

Does anyone know exactly what information Social Services are allowed to obtain from your GP/HV and what they are allowed to put in reports?

I realise that Child Protection issues play a part in this and because I have been diagnosed with PND they will continue to monitor my files but what confuses me is when my Social Workers starts including in reports details of my visits to GP regarding a Urinary Tract Infection, another visit regarding pain relief for Gallstones and the most recent report stating that I had attending a consultant appointment regarding the insertion of the Contraceptive Implant? Are they allowed to include all this irrelevant information in reports regarding my children's well being?

[MoreCrackThanHarlem]

'I agree SW's are hard to trust. Ours is opening a case file due to neglect by the parent's as we have 4 kids and we don't tidy up a bit.'

I find this difficult to believe.
Obviously having your parenting skills questioned is demoralising, but being uncooperative and defensive makes prolonged involvement more likely.

[WestVirginia]

If you are not happy with the way they have treated you, then make a complaint.

[WestVirginia]

Many social workers do not know how to treat people with respect.

[MoreCrackThanHarlem]

WV please elaborate, from what experiences or knowledge are you basing such huge generalisations such as this
'Social workers are manipualative and not honest.
They do try to bully people.
Social workers do not listen properly.'

[Resolution]

WV - you demonstrate more than I can the difficlut task faced by social workers in trying to have parents work with them rather than against them.

Thank you.

:o)

[masochismTangoer]

Are they allowed to include all this irrelevant information in reports regarding my children's well being?


Do not know.

Have you tried writing to GP practise manage asking when and why info was given and to someone dealing with your case in SS to ask why the information is considered relevant and included in the reports. All you would have to say it you cannot understand its relevance and are embarrasses/ concerned that so many people have access to this confidential medical information so could they explain why it is there and to confirm that it is definitely needed/required part of the reports. Try and get a written response that you can refer to in future ? just in case you continue to be unhappy with the information they have obtained about you.

[Debs75]

'I agree SW's are hard to trust. Ours is opening a case file due to neglect by the parent's as we have 4 kids and we don't tidy up a bit.'

I find this difficult to believe.
Obviously having your parenting skills questioned is demoralising, but being uncooperative and defensive makes prolonged involvement more likely

It's true, they are saying my lack of cleaning skills are neglect. I am not uncooperative i have trusted them and made changes like they have asked.
Of course there are other issues such as ds being autistic. Every measure we have done to keep him safe and the others safe they don't like.

on another note this is our 3rd SW and the others have been much nicer to us, this one is just a clean freak

[WestVirginia]

Ask to be transferred to the Children with Disabilities Team.

Apply for DLA for the autistic child.

[Debs75]

Already been with the children with disabilities team and get dla.
Like I said we have been involved with SS for a long time it is just this one who is a bitch

[mungojerrie]

Request a new sw by speaking to their manager - it should be possible in most teams.

WV - i've never read such rubbish. And I'm interested in what job you do?

[WestVirginia]

What are you saying is rubbish?

[Marjoriew]

West Virginia/Lucinda Carlisle has an axe to grind where social workers are concerned.

[WestVirginia]

Maybe because social workers are incompetent and not honest, and do not communicate with service users.

[pipsqueak]

WV - you strike me as someone with whom it is very difficult to communicate effectively-you make wild generalisations and prejudge and are unwilling to lsiten to any other points of view . your advice is way off beam - i work in hte family jsutice system and your approach to op's question will harm her case.

[WestVirginia]

How will it harm her case?

Incompetent social workers will do harm than good.

[WestVirginia]

If I make wild generalisations and prejudge then you could say that I behave just like many social workers behave, couldnt you?

[WestVirginia]

Many social workers do not understand Mental Health issues.

[Resolution]

West V - perhaps you should come clean about your personal experience with social workers and how your approach worked for you?

Please.

Before anyone follows the advice you dole out they are entitled to know where you're coming from.

[eviscerateyourmemory]

WV

When you say:
Many doctors deliberately fail to refer caes of PND to Social services because they know that social workers are incapable of handling those case sensitively and appropriately.

Why should a GP refer every case of PND to SS? Fine if it was thought to be needed or beneficial, but entirely predictable that not everyone will be referred to SS.

[mranchovy]

Oh FFS WestVirginia/LucindaCarlisle, you really have to stop posting on mumsnet because what you post is usually wrong and always unhelpful and you are HURTING other people who need help, although maybe not as much as you do.

[Debs75]

Mungojerrie She goes on maternity leave ibn a few months so hopefully the next one will be more understanding of the demands of 4 kids.

WV You sound very bitter about SW's and I agree your advice is harmful. It is alright saying SW's get it wrong but when they have the power to take your kids away it is in your best interests to listen to them.

[mungojerrie]

Debs75 I hope the next one is more understanding. Sounds like you've had a tough time of it all. All the best.

WV oh, most of what you've written. Making ridiculous generalisations about all SW from a limited experience. Your advice is harmful. And I am still wondering what job it is you do. God knows I'd prefer a career which doesn't get slagged off by people who do not understand the pressures and situations SW deal with on a daily basis.

[mungojerrie]

MissKegs SW are allowed to obtain any relevant info from GPs. This usually has to relate to Child Protection matters or something that would directly affect the child. My experience is that different GPs understand this differently and give out quite varying amounts of medical info based on what they feel is relevant.

Maybe you could ask the GP why they felt the Gallstones was relevant?! The SW will simply be including everything they have been told by GP.

[WestVirginia]

They do not have the power to take your children away from you without sufficient evidence. Therefore do not give them any information.

[pipsqueak]

WV you are deluded if you think it is that simple .