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Parenting

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Original poster

How do social services support you?

12 replies

Porkyprincess · 30/04/2019 16:10

Last week I made a post about feeling suicidal since having my 2nd baby 7 months ago. I went to GP today and she recommended that social services could possibly help me.
I think for a lot of people when we hear the word social services we freak out, which is what I’m doing right now.
I do struggle badly with my mental health, but just wondering if anyone else has had any support from SS and what they did / helped with?

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BollocksToBrexit · 30/04/2019 16:14

I did when my DD was little, so a long time ago. At that time she was a utter nightmare (undiagnosed autism) and I was on my own. Social services paid for her to go to nursery a couple of times a week to give me a break.

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Porkyprincess · 30/04/2019 16:17

@BollocksToBrexit great username that’s lovely of them to do. I really hope it helped you!

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livinglongerwithcalgon · 30/04/2019 16:18

Different circumstances to yours, but we’ve had a social worker for just over two years. DH has a chronic illness which is quite severe and our children have SEN. We were referred to social services (with our consent) by a psychologist working with our DCs, for a carers assessment.

The combination of DH’s poor health and the DCs’ care needs were assessed as being eligible for additional support. We have a care package, that enables us to have a certain number of hours of care for the children each week (currently we use this during term to help get the DCs ready for school and take them there, in holidays for respite to take them on days out).

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Queenfreak · 30/04/2019 16:23

Did the go also put you in touch with the perinatal mental health team? I found then invaluable when I was poorly after having dd.
Ss may be able to offer a service like homestart or possibly a nursery place, to give you time to see a counsellor or get some breathing space. Other than that I'm not too sure I'm afraid.
Did it help to open up and say what is happening to you? I know myself it was a massive relief to just voice it.

SimonJT · 30/04/2019 16:24

They can be fab, my son is adopted, his social worker isn’t very useful but mine is.

I have had several activities paid for, ranging from parenting classes to year passes at play centres etc. Everything my social worker has arranged has been really useful and worth my time.

Queenfreak · 30/04/2019 16:24

Incidentally- I went to the gp because I was having thoughts of harm towards my dd.
And social services were never involved as I thought I could cope

MyDcAreMarvel · 30/04/2019 16:25

The days of social services paying for nursery places for non safeguarding reasons are over.

Original poster

Porkyprincess · 30/04/2019 16:34

@Queenfreak yes already have an open ticket with the perinatal mental health team as saw them during my pregnancy too and on DD1. Although after DD2 they said in their words “we aren’t sure what we can do to support you”

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hipposarerad · 30/04/2019 16:36

I've had a couple of people suggest I contact the SEND team (both DC autistic, dc2 pretty complex) but I don't think I'll bother based on my previous experience.

My father spent the last 10 years of his life in and out of psychiatric care (he had a breakdown and I'm convinced he was undiagnosed autistic). He was in a downward spiral of total self neglect so I asked the Vulnerable Adults team for help. The guy they sent glanced around my dad's stinking flat, exchanged a few words with my emaciated, unwashed, improperly toileted dad and finally turned to me and said "your father is an adult and if he has chosen to live this way then it's not for you to interfere". So I thanked him for his time and decided that social services can go fuck themselves.

BollocksToBrexit · 30/04/2019 16:47

The days of social services paying for nursery places for non safeguarding reasons are over.

I'm not surprised. It's such a shame as 20+ years ago it was a lifesaver for me. It was the only time I got to sleep. DD never slept. She's all grown up now and is a full time teacher. She still only dozes for a couple of hours at night.

Original poster

Porkyprincess · 30/04/2019 20:02

@BollocksToBrexit luckily DD1 goes to nursery 3 days a week which does help greatly and brings her out of her shell because she can be a shy little girl. I just think I need some help in regards to my mental health and some support with young DD2.

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Runbikeswim · 30/04/2019 20:19

We have had a social worker since about 2011. We have had respite and assistance with money for holiday clubs. My son has a disability and I was a single parent from when he was less than a year old -after leaving my husband who attacked me. It was a life saver them helping me out.

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