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Original poster

Referral to social services after A & E visit

56 replies

Worriedmummya · 31/01/2026 12:03

Hi everyone,

I’m worried sick!

I noticed blood in my 20-month-old’s nappy and took her to A&E. They immediately admitted her in and sent us by ambulance to the children’s hospital.
It turns out she has a small laceration in her privates that had bruised up - the doctor asked me if I knew how she could have done that and I said I had no idea, they asked if anyone else looked after her and if she went to nursery (no to both), a few more doctors came to check and we were told it could be from anything but that the doctor believes it could be from scratching herself as she had scratch marks on her belly too. She said she had no concerns and we could go home that night but that as it’s unexplained injury she had to refer us to social services (she did say she would write in her report that she had no concerns) as it was protocol.

I’m freaking out! Will they believe someone abused her? Are they going to take her away?

OP posts:
LoveSandbanks · 31/01/2026 21:03

We were referred to social services after a hospital visit - my son took some medication that he shouldn't have had.

I didn't even get a phone call from the social worker, you probably won't either but if you do, please don't worry. There are certain injuries and incidents that the hospital have to report. Most go no where and social workers are well aware of that.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 31/01/2026 21:07

They need to keep a record of this. If she kept coming back with bleeding from her vagina injury or other red flags it would be suspicious but they won’t know if she keeps coming back unless they keep records. As awful as it sounds some babies are abused so they need to be alert.

HappyMeal564 · 31/01/2026 22:46

Ringinfiron · 31/01/2026 17:12

This is normal practice but just be careful how you present yourself and answer their questions without giving more information than you need to. Be mindful about any further trips to A&E as you will now have a record on file and if you can get treatment at home or through private GP practice it will be better.

This is awful advice, if your child needs medical attention, take them to a medical professional. Don't try fix something at home if it's not something that's usually fixed at home, and a private doctor will still have safeguarding policies in place, you don't pay to avoid safeguarding, that's ridiculous

Hotchocolate4 · 31/01/2026 22:54

HappyMeal564 · 31/01/2026 22:46

This is awful advice, if your child needs medical attention, take them to a medical professional. Don't try fix something at home if it's not something that's usually fixed at home, and a private doctor will still have safeguarding policies in place, you don't pay to avoid safeguarding, that's ridiculous

Show quote history

100% it was our private GP that actually raised a safe guarding referral even though we had seen our nhs GP for the same thing. I was trying to get some extra testing / quicker testing done.

So in our experience the private GP was more vigilant than the NHS

Mamascoven · 01/02/2026 09:36

Ringinfiron · 31/01/2026 17:12

This is normal practice but just be careful how you present yourself and answer their questions without giving more information than you need to. Be mindful about any further trips to A&E as you will now have a record on file and if you can get treatment at home or through private GP practice it will be better.

Please ignore this advice! Terrible advice suggesting to avoid a&e. And a private GP will hold a record so they may ask why you are not using NHS services. This same thing happened to me with my young baby. She's 4 now, and we have been to many GP appointments, and a&e when needed. Social closed our case within a day and recorded no concerns at all. Having this on file is scary at first but not a terrible thing. The last health visitor that visited us asked if I'd ever thought about working as a breastfeeding support worker within the NHS as she thought I'd be great and to let her know if I wanted more details. I imagine she wouldn't suggest this if she had concerns around me and my family.

FunCrab · 01/02/2026 19:31

Ringinfiron · 31/01/2026 17:12

This is normal practice but just be careful how you present yourself and answer their questions without giving more information than you need to. Be mindful about any further trips to A&E as you will now have a record on file and if you can get treatment at home or through private GP practice it will be better.

This is not best advice.
If your child needs treatment they should receive it.
You need to know if this is an issue so that your child is safeguarded.
Your child's welfare is the most important regardless.

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