Social Services Section 47 Inquiry?

[WorriedAndConfusedPleaseHelp]

Hi
Recently I mentioned to perinatal that my partner may have been a bit forceful with our 2 month old. He was irritated from lack of sleep and work stresses, as well as a bit of a rough patch in our relationship, which we have now got past (was just a bad week overall for both of us) and was moving baby a bit quickly during the night. I said I felt the bed bounce a bit when he put baby down to change him. He also shushed him loudly and in his face. Said this only happened once and hasn't happened since, and that we've already got some strategies in place, such as more support from our family, and his work offering him more flexibility, and maybe seeking out some counselling for him if he needs more support, as I'm already struggling with my mental health after a traumatic labour and birth, which I've started taking medication for. Perinatal said she would have to report this to social services, but said we shouldn't worry because she could clearly see our son was well looked after and safe, and that we had good support around us, but that they may be able to offer us some extra support.

We had a call from children's services later on that afternoon and they told us the police have been informed and that we needed to take baby to the hospital immediately for medical examination.

Everything came back clear, no marks or bruising, eyes fine, CT, X-ray and bloods all clear, but while we were there, we were given a leaflet explaining the Child Protection Inquiry process. After the strategy discussion, the nurse said we were able to take him home, but will be followed up with.

I am really freaking out over this, even though we were told it's just standard procedure, so I contacted the perinatal staff member who made the referral, explaining how terrified I am, because this is obviously a very serious thing, we're essentially being accused of abusing our child, and received a text back saying it was "just standard procedure, not to worry, they just want to ensure baby is safe, which he is, and they may be able to offer any support that you need".

My head is in a bit of a mess and now I don't know what's what. My partner didn't hurt baby, nor was he trying to. He was jiggling baby, which I've just found out is okay (baby likes faster movement as it calms him down) he never shook nor hit him, and he never would, and has always made sure baby's head is supported. I worry that what happened was miscommunicated by me and therefore misunderstood by perinatal, and worry about how I can explain this and what happened to social services, as after thorough research into section 47s and the different types of abuse, I can confidently say that's not the case here. I also can't understand why, if my son is deemed as safe by the person who reported us, why she then still reported a safeguarding concern at all? After confirming both before and after making the report that she could clearly see our son is well cared for and safe, with lots of support available. One of the night nurses also was shocked that this was happening.

I haven't heard from social services yet, and it's been a week since. Obviously we will work with them if there is indeed anything they can do to help my partner with his stressors which have been affecting his mood, to prevent it from affecting our baby in any way, as we have already started doing on our own, as our son has always been our number one priority, but I am very worried and confused about this whole thing and have no idea what's going to happen now. It's very upsetting and we just want to go back to enjoying our son and life as a family. Please help!

I am SO relieved that SS will be following up.

I hope they remain very much involved in this baby’s life

You cannot be rough with a 2 month old baby. They are so, so vulnerable. Shaking or pushing/pulling can have catastrophic consequences at that age, The fact your husband lost patience with such a tiny child should be followed up. Of course it should,

Maybe it was a one off. If so, all good and they will close the case fairly quickly.

But rather than run around trying to defend him and make excuses for him, maybe you should be questioning why he needs ‘help’ not to take his frustrations out on a newborn baby? Most people don’t need therapy and everyone walking on eggshells around them to stop them hurting their child. Not to mention that you’re the one who had the traumatic birth and he seems to be the one needing all the TLC and kid gloves treatment. Are you sure there isn’t more to this?

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will be along shortly.

You did the right thing by telling the nurse what happened. That will be seen as a protective factor I'm sure. Try not to worry, but I know thats easier said than done.

There may be no further action taken after the S47, but if there is, you need to engage with SS, be open and honest and listen to what you're being asked to do.

At the end of the day, they are trying to ensure your child is safe and they dont want to get it wrong (after all, you were concerned enough to mention baby's dad's behaviour to the nurse)

No one starts abusing a child by physically hurting a child they start by doing similar to your partner. Loosing their temper when pressured.
That's not to say your partner will follow the path to physical abuse and probably most in his situation won't

What is his view about all this? Babies push your button but absolutely every time they do you as a parent have to put them down somewhere safe and walk away for a minute to bring composure

What support do you have at the moment? I didn't have what you described but I had psychosis that on one occasion made me think my daughter was evil. As a result I saw my HV fortnightly and my cc from the perinatal team on the other week and for a week whilst they got this put in place my partner had to work from home so I wasn't alone with my daughter.

When I was in the mother and baby unit a few of the women had ss involvement and some of them had to have more monitoring like not being alone with the baby for any length of time and when on leave they had to have family members at home with them. It might be that they ask that your partner isn't alone with your baby whilst they do the assessment. Make sure you are both getting enough sleep for well-being. We had a rule about only one us being up at a time in the night so that we could alternate who was on childcare duty and who was sleeping to maximise our sleep.

Sounds like you’re trying to backtrack to cover up for your partner. Social services should be involved given his behaviour, surely you see that?

The reason it was reported is because a two month old baby is vulnerable physically to any sort of force.

Your DP was responding (let’s admit) in a disproportionate way to a baby who was communicating his needs.

Believe it or not many baby deaths occur this way - screaming baby, tired dad/step dad/ not knowing what to do or how to stop the screaming then bam the unthinkable happens.

So they will want to come out and see what’s going on, they’ll probably give some helpful advice and given the age of your baby they may decide not to progress to a full s47 but maybe a CiN plan until your baby is a bit older.

I know it’s distressing but try not to worry too much

I'm glad they're involved

Under S47 Social Services have 28 days to complete their assessment.
My advice to you is to stop minimising your partners actions.
Being a 'bit forceful' with a 2 month old is not acceptable, fortunately your baby is unharmed.
Be open and honest with social services and accept their advice / support.
After 28 days they will inform you if your baby will be subject to further involvement or not.

And look we are all human so next time if he reaches boiling point please tell him to put the baby down in a safe place and leave the room for a few minutes to regain his composure

I have had to do that once or twice myself over the years or I was about to scream myself!!!!

https://transparencyproject.org.uk/child-protection-investigations-no-further-action-necessary/

This seems to explain the process somewhat. If your partner has a police record (that you are unaware of) for instance, this may come to light as a result of the S47.

Then, all organisations can decide what is needed going forward in the best interests of your child.

This.

At the start of your post you say your DP put baby down too roughly & shushed loudly in his face.
At the end of your post you say he was rocking baby slightly more because he likes it.
Which is it?

Clearly it concerned you too because you flagged it to the professional who then did their job, and you were then told rightly to take baby for a medical assessment.

Hi guys first time mum to a 6 month old baby. Today I needed to call police as my partner told me to leave before there was trouble at around 4am I did so for the sake of arguments and the baby. After 1 hour of sitting in the car I retuned but he had locked the door I had no key - he told me through the window to go away I did again for about 30 mins and knocked again and he told me he was keeping the baby . Naturally I panicked and called the police . He had been drinking and my concern was that this may have impaired his caring for her . The police went in and said the baby was fine they had no concerns i told the police that he has previously locked me in the house and taken my phone - the police then said this was concerning and gave me the baby .

Now iv been served a section 47 I’m terrified of what will happen what does this mean social services are trying to sugar coat it and basically acting as my friend . Iv been told she could be out on an order or it could go no further action . What is the likely hood of anything ?
There’s been one other police incident but that was squished while I was pregnant social services called me and it was closed they are saying they need to bring that up can they do that ?
the baby is very well cared for and is hitting all milestones never missed any medical appointments or health Visotr appointments.

iv been with the father for 15 years and like to ad that he had custody of his children since they were 2 months old . I told the police that he is a good dad and I don’t think she was in danger and I think acted irrationally.

I feel as though it’s been blown out of proportion and I probably shouldn’t have called them but I panicked .