Struggling to cope

[SpinningFloppa]

What help is there for parents struggling to cope? Lone parent, no family help, kids with additional needs and behaviour problems. Anything other than ss? I need non judgemental support and they are anything but, is there anything else out there?

Do you have any support agencies in place? Senco? Local child development centres or community groups? I was in a similar position and found my local health centre offers a weekly group for parents and children with developmental and behavioural problems, children can play, parents can discuss any struggles with a community mental health nurse and get advice where needed, unfortunately I know not everywhere has access to such services but it's worth checking
If not and SS are your only option, they are there to support so please don't be scared to reach out to them for help

I’ve had ss involvement in the past so I do have first hand experience of them and not going down that route again. The sw was completely awful and inappropriate so not taking that risk again. Just wondered if there was any other places as it’s getting a bit too much now.

You can self refer to Early Help services. They might be called something different like Building Stronger Families or similar but google early help and your local authority and you should find some details.
This isn't the same as having social services involved and it's voluntary on your part.
An assessment can look at what
support you and the children need, which areas are priority and they can also sign post you to a wealth of local services. You can work out a plan together with the Early Help worker as to what will help you the most.

Do you have a local children’s centre/head start?

I am in the same boat and when i asked for help i got ss and things became more stressful for me, i have tried going to playgroups but i feel uncomfortable, i go to soft plays with my son now and feel a lot better afterwards

I regret having ss involved as they made my life a lot harder and offered little support they just seem to want to tick of all the boxes on their list, i have been honest and now my son is under a care order living with me because they say my son needs additional help in place for him after that they will close the case, i have a family support worker and she is useless always seems to be rushing or pressuring me to say or do things so she can finish the job... My only solution was the soft play for my son but his 2 and he seems to be more settled when we get home and he goes nursery

Thank you, yes I know what hell ss can cause I’m glad some people have never had a bad experience with them but I have and I don’t want them saying I can’t cope with my children or judging my house, the last sw just kept insisting I contact my ex even when I told her he wanted nothing to do with the children she wouldn’t listen, she was pushing so much I had to make a complaint about her. It caused me far more stress.