Social services advice please

[Lulu3108]

Hi,
I would like any advice please.
I am involved with social services because of contacting the police on the children’s dad. He has substance misuse issues and his behaviour under the influence he becomes abusive.

had previous involvement for the same reason he had turned up at the school. Had assessments done usually quite positive but the area I lived in was quite deprived. May explain why they didn’t really get involved that much.
They just said supervise contact. Not to see the children in intoxicated.

It has gotten worse where it was affecting my neighbours. He was turning up at all hours and being abusive a noisy. I had enough. I ended up going to the police station and kicking off had a safeguarding unit which had really helped. The officer advised me to get a normal molestation, which is what I applied for off my own back.

The social services in my new area stated no contact however a IDVA suggested that my son could get a taxi to school as he was going to school in our old area sometimes we would see their dad intoxicated around the vicinity of the school

I had a visit from the social worker. She explained that she would not be primarily dealing with Me and it would be a family support worker carrying out the assessment on Me

She had not met all my children, only my baby and came to my house

After a few weeks I emailed her because I was asking her for the taxi service for my son she said it wasn’t possible in which I emailed back and said could something be done about his new school place or what is the progress of this as discussed from the meeting, there was no progress she ended up not replying but her manager called me who insisted that they cannot provide a taxi service

I then went to the doctors for an appointment for myself. The doctor mentioned to me as they know me quite well. I have been a few few years that social services have contacted them for myself wanting to know if there was any information about me that they needed to know the doctors said they had replied with a Primary Care summary.

I had not consented to my medical files being looked up. I would’ve been fine with them seeing my medical files. It’s not an issue but it’s a fact for me that the social worker hasn’t even met my children or ask them if they are okay in the situation they are in yet she has gone and contacted my GP. I thought they were not allowed to do this as when had done previous assessments before because of their father once I had to sign over consent for my medical files to be accessed this was done without any knowledge to me.

I took my younger children for vaccinations. I was 10 minutes late because the Health Visitor insisted on coming to my house. She arrived half an hour late despite telling her I had an appointment. I was 10 minutes late for the appointment for their jabs after she had left my house. I told the receptionist this she said it’s fine. Come back later on they will do it when I went back to get my children’s vaccinations I noticed on the computer screen that the doctor surgery this is another doctors to mine Had stated concerns that I had DNA the appointment not acknowledging the reasons why that I had rebooked later on the afternoon and that they were going to contact the social services to tell them of this .

The Health is always a nice woman, but never in all my time of having a health is Office visiting. Have they asked to look through every single room of my house which I allow her to do so every time I see one of the professionals whether it be a Health is are or a family Support they keep asking me if I need beds or cots for my children which I don’t I understand some people may need this help but I find it very patronising because it is asked several times to me. I would starve before having my children any unsuitable Bed . Again, I don’t mean to sound like that, but it’s just the way it has been said to me. I am only involved with these people because of what their father has done with his substance misuse and yet they haven’t contacted their father at all. When he had tried to contact them, they said he has to go to the family court.

They want to do a TaF meeting but both schools are unavailable however they are resuming the Task meeting without both schools only Health Visitor Social Worker and family when I have googled this I am kind of struggling to grasp what I need to do in this meeting. I’m sorry to sound like this but I am really involved with social services because of the whole protocol following calling the police on my ex partner

I have made a statement during this time period of being involved with social services for coercive control. He is on bail and cannot come near the school that my son is in or in the borough I live in.

I will be doing a saw on my social care files but when I mention this to the family support worker she seem very like no we didn’t ask for their medical files. We just informed them that we were involved however she did not do this personally it was the Social Worker who had done it, not her.

So my questions are that were social services right? Or what reasons would they have done to have contacted my GP? Regarding myself without my consent or permission.

If anybody knows what is likely to be discussed at the Task meeting on what would be the purpose of one read from Google that is to provide support but I’m sorry to sound like this. I’m not really sure what Support could be offered because I have pretty much taking my own steps with this before them contacting me.

I have this feeling that I have got off the wrong foot with the Social Worker over the misunderstanding with the taxi service. I’m sorry to sound like this. I know there is a lot of negativity with social workers when I was under my old council I had dealt with social workers and I have read the assessments they have done on me and I have never had a bad or a negative experience with social service services but I can honestly say I feel like I’m not really gaining anything here surrounding my situation now more than anything it’s irritating me if I am honest

Thank you

Op focus on the bigger picture rather than pursuing this with doctor when I would be very very surprised that they have not followed confidentiality and access rights by social services if concerned about the safety of a child

You are right OP they shouldn't contact your GP without your consent UNLESS they are doing a section 47 enquiry which overrides the need for parental consent. However they must explain that to you and let you know this is being done. Has the social worker shared an assessment with you yet?

I wouldn't worry too much about the TAF meeting. They will write a draft plan and ask you to sign up to it and it will be reviewed at the meeting. Then there will be another meeting to review progress and potentially close the case.

The SW was right about taxis. There is no money available to pay for taxis to school. Social services have very tight budgets and its public funds so must be properly accounted for.

Thanks for your reply.
I have done several assessments previously because of the father in the past with another council I can say one was a section 47 as the other poster has mentioned and I signed my medical files over to them no issue

this is not a section 47 and I don’t recall signing anything or being told my medical files were being looked at. I wouldn’t have had a problem signing them over. I don’t really have anything interesting on them but it’s the fact for me that I was misadvised by a for domestic violence support worker who said I would be able to get a taxi she said she will sort it out for me but had left so I have contacted social services in email I said what is the progress of this in the end the social worker wouldn’t reply and her manager phoned me after the phone call with her manager. It’s fine it was addressed no taxi service all of a sudden I went to my doctors and I was told that social services had asked for information on me when I hadn’t consented to this when I raise this with the family support worker who did not send this request to Social Worker . Did she replied that the social worker only contacted them to inform them that they were involved.

I will be getting a sar anyway, so I will see what has been done on there, but this just adds stress to the fact that I have done the right thing contacted the authorities… and yet this is just stress. Just social services has to be involved like they have been previously and that’s fine when it’s straight to the point, but this is add and creates more stress to me as if it’s already stressful time.

Never have I experienced this with a Social Worker before I’ve had positive assessment in the past made for myself which is all involvement due to the father and his behaviour under the influence

I am just wondering what would be done with the circumstances with a TAF meetingand I have read this up online and it is of a reason so I am wondering and curious to know in a DV situation like my with an ex partner what is likely to be the targets or plan, made.

Thanks

The support worker has very little to do with the social worker and certainly won’t be in a position to confirm to you what you entitled to by way of the council paying for taxis for your son

When the manager advised you that this was not something the council would cover, what was your reaction?

Thanks for you reply.
The taxis it’s been clarified now it was just a misunderstanding. A domestic violence worker told me I would be able to get it. I was very certain however when clarifying this with social services it was confirmed this wasn’t the case.

This is not a child protection level or a section 47. I’ve had one of those before in the past because of their father. I signed everything over immediately.

I understand being involved with social services. It’s part of the procedure following contacting the police on him and that’s fine but I was just taking her back when having a doctor’s appointment and it being brought up.

As I don’t recall signing anything over or agreeing or being aware of this

The council I know is doing a scheme where I am not really on any plan. I am just under family Support and the Social Worker is supervising.

I wanted to know what is likely to be putting the plan with a situation like this. I’m not with the father anymore and he doesn’t live with me. I have made a statement against me for coersive control. When I have googled it the results that come up mostly for different situations likely something else relating to social services.

they have not spoken to my older children either in previous assessments they have spoken to my children about me being there to make sure they are okay and this has not happened

As I don’t recall signing anything over or agreeing or being aware of this

Your consent re last time has presumably not been withdrawn

was your case ever closed or is this just an o going case?

I spoke with her over the phone she rang me. I was fine about it. We just both agreed that we would take a different route with schools as my children are a different school. I have made from one area to another so the support worker was very adamant that this council offered that service she said she would get back to me but I had left. I followed this up with children’s services and also what was going on with the schools but they hadn’t had any progress by that point heard nothing from them for weeks and then it came out of the doctors appointments I have never experienced this to be honest with you if I compare it to previous assessment done on myself .

I then asked her about the two child rule exemption and if she could put me in the right direction to which professional would be able to sign this off for me? I am considering to go back to studying next year the two child exemption for coersive control on universal credit she said I could not get any money. I would have to make the most of the money I get from the government as she will try and see if someone could give me a budget in tips which I really don’t need. I have read the department of working pensions guidelines on the exemption can be completed by a domestic violence organisation a social worker or a medical professional. I have enough evidence for this, but I just left the conversation there because she didn’t know anything about it.

she just brushed it off like you need budget and help she was asking you how much my shopping is. And said it was too much money. Didn’t seem to listen I will say out of all my friends. I am very known for cooking from scratch and budget and being very free with money. I’m very savvy.

One of their schools is still in the old area. they haven’t spoken to my children or seen them or met them schools are very happy with their progress. Unlike previous assessments where by now it has been two months I think they usually speak to the children and they are okay.

This is entirely a different council. I have never worked with this council before so therefore I have not given them my consent. I was not told beforehand this would happen over. I just feel like we got a phone the whole email with the taxi situation I have sent my email to Friends some of which have good careers like social workers in different fields. They cannot see anything wrong with my emails. That’s all I can say based on how I feel and I have never felt like this with other social work assessment, but I can see different with this.

I feel a little patronised. I am countlessly ask if I need beds or cookers and things like that I completely understand some people are in situations but they need it but even my mum wrote her head backwards at this it’s not helpful at all. I feel a little stereotype. I’m just being honest this is how I feel.

I have had a past career myself where I’ve worked with social care so have some knowledge of it

There was fresh involvement with this new council. I had previous involvement with social services but always just a stand at this assessment for 28 days or 41 days and then it had been closed. I have read my assessments. They are always very positive and so are the scores et cetera is literally all involving their father’s substance and his behaviour when he is intoxicated.

He is now on Police bill at the moment so he cannot go into the school area

I imagine you consented previously and the consent still stands

anyway just go with the process and accept support when offered

good luck

Consent can't be carried over from one assessment to a new one.

Even if it was the same local authority, which it isn't, consent needs to be sought for every new assessment.

Thanks.

I will get legal advice on this based on the SAR.

I am not going to be happy to accept unnecessary support. I’ve already been asked countless times if I need things I don’t need la cooker or a bed. They can see that. The social services were called on Kirsty allsopp about her child travelling in another country alone without an adult present and the likes of those do they get social services coming to their house then for completely unrelated reasons patronised and asked if they need a bed or a cooker I feel like I am really patronised and treated like I’m stupid. I’m actually educated. I’ve had a good background and career it just happens sadly the father of my children has a really bad substance issue but he cannot control and we cannot live as a family no more or a couple because it’s literally taken over his life it could happen to anyone but I just don’t like how it’s very stereotyped. My home is clean and tidy. We have beds we have cookers. It’s the way I’m being spoken to. it’s not right. Schools have nothing bad to say about myself with the children….

again, I am just speaking my mind. It is not very proactive of the Social Worker . Maybe she just doesn’t understand me or gets me.

OP have you asked ss why there is still so much input?
Has there been multiple/repeated interventions with ss because if your partner? Did he continue to see or be involved with the kids when he shouldnt have?
Was it not just a case of substance abuse so separate and stop contact?

In terms of the information sharing with your GP, it could be that it was deemed that the safeguarding risk level threshold for your child was met and outweighed the need to acquire consent prior to information sharing. I am a safeguarding lead in a school and sometimes we are contacted for information and informed that this is the case.

I don’t think it ever closed

The fact that a new council is irrelevant with information sharing between bodies such as it is

Even if it was a transfer from one local authority to another without closure they would still need to have updated consent for a new assessment

Information sharing can only be done with consent - or if the threshold is met for section 47.

No and I’m scared to.
there have been numerous involvement with a previous authority. Most of the time they did not do an assessment. It’s inner London so they have a lot of cases. When they had done assessments the advice was supervised contact.

he was turning up at my house hiding bottles and pretending to sober. Turning up at the school etc. his behaviour when intoxicated was abusive to me and my neighbours.

since I’ve moved I rang the police twice.

ive now done a. Police statement for coersive control about the times he’s been with me intoxicated.

he cannot come near me, or the school now. I feel so much better for that.

i feel like I’ve p’d off the social worker. For CC in both heads of school discussing school transfers and pick up drop offs. Also the taxi.
a good number of friends some professionals as well cannot see any issue with the emails sent.

she wouldn’t reply in the end and her manager rang me. We clarified it in the conversation. No taxis. Change the routes. End of kind of thing.

heard nothing for weeks. Usually they would’ve spoken to my children by now? But nothing.
went to the doctors and was quite shocked. He was shocked. Because of my reaction. He said we’ve sent a primary care.
im shocked because there’s been no proper contact no contact with kids, and just the way it’s gone to my doctors without my consent or knowledge, the kids I understand but how that was aswell.

when the HV came she insisted to come even though I said I had an appointment… the thing is she checked all my rooms. When previous involvement I can honestly say a HV has never done this.

and the father… nothing.

I have asked a children’s social worker all of this and they’ve said it doesn’t sound right.

schools don’t really have any issues with my kids behaviour erc. Happy with them. They’re on time and are impressed I have 4 of them.

If anyone knows about a taf meeting surrounding dv circumstances. I’d like to know as what comes up is usually for families who want support for different reasons.

i don’t find my new idva helpful. There’s nothing to talk about.

I’ve done my own non mol order via a solicitor. I’m doing my own housing app. I’m kind of like what am I expecting at this meeting.

I’ve done a statement. He’s on bail. He can’t go near my house or school.

It was closed hun I can assure you that

My SW email signature is CIN.
i am considered under family support with a social worker supervising.
it would be a CIN assessment?
my primary main contact is a family support worker.
had a MARAC. 5 professionals are saying your not under social services your family support with a SW supervision.
apparently inner London has too many caseloads.
i asked her about the doctors and she didn’t send it I know that the SW did. She said the SW contacted my GP “to inform them we are involved”
However GP story is different. Admin lady confirmed this.

if anyone knows about how a TAF with a family support worker, SW, and HV (schools cannot attend) works relating to an ex DV and substance misuse. Please let me know.

when I’ve googled taf it’s relating to families with different reasons or needs.

thanks

Only until recent I’ve been advised to stop contact. The former LA I moved from a few months ago suggested supervised contact with myself. Which he has overstepped the mark when I had moved which is why I went to the police and applied for non mol. X

It sounds like they are allocating low level CiN cases to non social work qualified staff (we do that in my area too) but it's still a social work plan, you should receive a copy of the assessment prior to the meeting and included in that will be the plan. They will then review the plan with you at the meeting.