Anyone have any experience with social services?

[Bobbycat121]

Ive posted about this before but wondered if anyone else had any experience? My daughters school recently referred me to social services. Anyway she suggested something called “early help” and she will close the case, if I accept it. But ive since got some independent advice and have been told that early help is completely voluntary. I dont want it and im worried about the stigma and being judged. Has anyone ever declined this, and if so what has happened?? I think they say its voluntary but they can escalate it if they feel the need, so its very hard to know where I stand. Has anyone had any direct experience?

It was 4 members of staff yes (including deputy head) they practically dragged her into school (she was on the floor kicking and screaming) I didnt want to leave her like that, but her temp 1:1 made a comment “Come on you have to go to school or mummy will get into trouble” shes 7. They havent really suggested much other than she has to go to school. She was clinging onto the pram begging me not to leave. Attendance is low due to absence but mainly lateness.

Your Early Help practitioner will
help you deal with the school. I understand how you feel, but just want you to know my experience was overwhelmingly
positive.

The early help practitioner will most likely be the school. Ehat is what a caf used to be they just identify a lead professional. It's like a child in need plan but with no social worker.

And for the record as a sw I never see lone parenting as necessarily a vulnerability on its own. I am one x

Bobby, why don’t you see what they can offer you and take it from there?

Ignore what your family/others think. This is about you and your child. Take all the help you can get - hopefully things will get easier for you.

Accepting help isn’t accepting failure - it might make you stronger

You never know, they might have some ideas you haven’t tried yet.

Oh OP, it sounds horrendous for you both
And she has got an autism diagnosis?
Is the lateness linked with length of time it takes to actually get her up, moving and out?
Doing the school run when it takes two hours to get there and with another toddler to boot sounds hellish, especially if bedtime are a challenge too (am guessing, feel free to correct me).
I would take the help offered....have DD breakfasted, dressed etc for when they come over and see how they fare getting her there or have everything ready - uniform, cereal etc and have them come early to show you how they can do it faster. If they see for themselves what a struggle it can be, you might get more empathy rather than judgement.
How long has it been since 1-1 left? Have they said she is settled once dragged in?