Social services involved!

[Charls338]

Need advice ,
I am 39 weeks pregnant. Due to previous dv issue with the baby’s dad , I was told there had been a referral to social services .
I haven’t yet heard off social services , my midwife hasn’t mentioned anything and he won’t be at the birth however I am worried my baby won’t be able to come home with me and social services will just turn up there and then at the birth centre and won’t allow my baby home with me 🙁
Does anyone know if this will happen without my acknowledgment prior to the birth ? Already stressed as it is about the birth and feel like getting told such news breaks my heart just thinking about it 🙁

Are you still in a relationship with baby's dad?

What support will you have at home. Is baby's father still around and what action have you taken to keep him away, are you deemed vulnerable? SS won't be able to get a court order without prior assessment but can take steps to safeguard the baby if you cannot.

No they will not remove your baby like that.
The issue is the DV as it is a risk to you and your child. It is damaging for a child to be raised around DV.
Are you in a relationship with this man? If you are do you think you really should be?
If you are no longer in a relationship and can protect your child great case closed.
If you are with him you need to do things like take part in courses on DV Ie freedom program and he will need to be willing to accept help for himself.
Your child may be put on a child in need vulnerable child alert with a social worker.
Basically if you are in a relationship with anyone where DV has been an issue you will be having close monitoring. A social services referral would have been done for this reason. You need to work with them and accept the support and monitoring. Don't lie because if anyone suspected you are back in that relationship they HAVE to put in a children's services referral again.

No I am not in a relationship with him.
I just thought I would of heard of them by now rather then not at all. Or do these things happen after the birth ?

I have took the steps to safeguard myself including getting a new home . I just want what’s best for the baby . I know a referral had been made but can’t help to wonder why I haven’t heard of them at all yet.

If you are no longer in a relationship and protected yourself it will all be fine. They will probably check in with you at some point or you could just ask midwife or health visitor if they have heard what happened? ( they are alerted) If the referral stated you were no longer in the relationship they probably are not interested in you and may have just closed the case.

@Charls338 maybe to alleviate the worry you will be feeling, when during childbirth you want lots of lovely oxytocin hormones, then maybe ask your midwife for an update, or even contact them yourselves ask if it has been closed etc. Much better knowing now than later and they will be reassured you are proactive and you can tell them everything you have done. The first time you hear f them won’t be to remove your baby at birth. Good luck in labour!

Maybe they just want to be sure you have all the support you need? I doubt they will be looking to do anything negative to you as you have made the break and taken yourself out of the relationship. You could ask womens aid what usually happens in these circumstances? Good luck OP and well done for breaking free

I was a social worker. If you are no longer in a relationship with him and plan to stay that way and show you're able to keep you n baby safe they will do an initial assessment and close case - they may be speaking to ur midwife b4 hand and possibly a follow up after birth but it would be case closed unless father gets involved. Then it may trigger another initial assessment

They would be doing a pre birth assessment if they were that worried.

My advice is to ring them yourself and ask what the status of the case is.

Hi,
I am aware of the assessment may take place or may of already taken place but I just haven’t been told anything , the midwife hasn’t said anything either
It really isn’t helping my anxiety about the birth 😫

Hi OP,

This is the thread we are leaving open as it has the most responses.

Best,
MNHQ

You would know in advance if they were going to issue proceedings. Social workers can't just turn up and remove children - only a court can give permission to remove a child or the police can remove for up to 72 hours then a court order is needed. If they were planning on going to court you would know in advance and have had your own legal advice by now.

If you have not heard anything then I would guess that the case has potentially been closed down - in my area which is a large city we receive a high number of referrals and lots don't come through. If they were doing an assessment you would know about it as they would need to speak with you and would speak to your midwife and everyone else involved.

They will not come and take your baby. If you have not heard anything, they may have decided by leaving you are protecting yourself and safeguarding your baby. Should they plan to complete an assessment, they will call you for a chat about your current situation and ask to contact midwife/GP etc to check if they have any concerns. If they are involved, you do not need to view it as a negative, they want the best for your baby, the same as you do. They would want to be reassured you understand the impact of DV on your baby and that you are willing to prioritise your baby over the perpetrator. They can advise you about further support for this and access courses to understand what you have been through. If they are concerned you are still in the relationship, they may proceed, either with a child in need or child protection plan, where there are steps you and they need to take to safeguard your baby. It is only when parents do not work with these plans that they seek advice from a court for a child to be taken into care. Social Workers do not have power to take a child without it being decided by a court ( unless a child is immediate risk)
So try not to worry about a Social Worker taking your baby, but focus on getting the support for a new life that is safe for your baby and yourself

Op keeps posting this every couple of days