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Parenting

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Need social worker advice

4 replies

blackandlellow · 28/11/2022 18:03

Hello, to give a bit of background, my family have had social services involved for around 2 years. Myself and my husband never experienced them growing up so having them involved was all new territory for us although we have retired social workers in the immediate family. My newborn second son had a small bruise on his face and I asked my health visitor if she could take a look. Of course as it had to be non accidental, we were referred to social services. They asked me if I knew how it happened and I didn't, I had done the night feeds (breastfeeding) and had not noticed anything in the night but it was quite small about the size of a 5p piece. We had a 3 year old son also at the time who I said would never harm his brother but of course children can be a bit rough and he was a normal 3 year old with lots of energy. My older son was taken into emergency care with a family member while my newborn had tests for blood disorders etc. after 3 days everything came back clear thankfully but then he was also placed in emergency care with the family member. It took us 11 months of parenting work and court to be able to have the boys come home. 2 years on, we have been referred to have the care order removed by our social worker which we are extremely pleased about however it's another new little journey that gives me incredible anxiety and if anyone has read this far, I'm just looking for any advice anyone can give who has been in a similar position. We have been passed over to the reunification team and then will need to go back to court. For the past year we have had very little involvement from SS apart from a short visit every 6 weeks to check how things are going. We are so happy that things are moving but it's just another thing I have no idea about what happens. We got used to our social worker who was amazing and now we will be given a new one (we've had 6 in the space of 2 years) and I'm a bit gutted. What can we expect from this new phase of our journey? If anyone can help I would be so grateful. Thanks!

OP posts:
Ovulationtest · 28/11/2022 18:05

How dreadful for you I’m so sorry you went through this

blackandlellow · 28/11/2022 18:17

@Ovulationtest thank you for reading. It was honestly the most horrendous thing I've ever experienced. I don't think there is a word I could use to explain how bad it was, but we are just happy we made it through 😊

OP posts:
Eupraxia · 28/11/2022 19:10

I'm a safeguarding lead in a school and have supported a family through reunification. What I don't know is how much if what I saw is what happens gor all families, since I've only seen one case.

The family we saw had the children move back to parents before the court date, so that (with the support of social workers) everyone could start practicing bring a family again, but with social services still retaining a care order. This was a gradual increase in time spent together. Also meant social care could monitor the children fully during the reintroduction.

Then at the court date, the care order ended and parents get back full parental responsibility from that moment onwards.

In the case I dealt with, the family were stepped down from a care order to a CINSO (Child In Need Special Order), with a time period of 12 months.

This means that social care remain oversight for the child's wellbeing, but under parental responsibility. This is very much hands-off in comparison to a care order (but certainly more intrusive than no social worker). You'll have a CIN Plan. This is a set if targets you all agree and work towards. CIN meetings every 4-6 weeks to review the plan. Children will be seen regularly by the SW, their health, safety, education and emotional wellbeing monitored.

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abblie · 28/11/2022 19:14

All that over a small bruise on the child's cheek I'm actually dumbfounded that happened to you 🙈 hope everything works out for you xx

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