One for all children social workers out there

[lou19]

I was just wondering if you are a social worker working with vulnerable children, how has having your own affected your practice, if at all? Perhaps it's a bit controversial, but right now I am feeling like I will never see things the same again (I am 40+3 wks pg)- especially with regards to vulnerable babies. But also I might be more sympathetic towards a stressed out mum than I might have been before. What are your experiences/ thoughts?

Hi lou,

I don't work for the statutory side now, but still work with vulnerable families. A few other workers I know who have been pregnant, and working in child protection have gone on to work in different areas such as adoptions and fostering after having children. They found it too hard.

From my own pov, you're outlook does change. Before I would go home and not think about work, the children etc, but now if I have a worrying case, it does prey on my mind. In some ways it makes me a better worker, as I want to do my absolute best in making sure children are safe. I also realise how hard parenthood is, and how we can't get it right all the time. But it does make me less understanding of how people can deliberately harm babies and children, knowing now how vulnerable, and completely at you're mercy they are. Knowing how dependant babies are, I do marvel how some survive, especially when the mothers attention is elsewhere, on new boyfriends, drinking, drugs etc. But then, usually these mothers have been these babies themselves, and subjected to the same neglect etc. I'm deliberately not mentioning fathers, as most who I deal with are not in the picture, and that's another thread entirely!

JuneBug, your insights are very interesting, that's how I think I might feel- right now the thought of babies and young children suffering because of adults cruelty/ neglect is unbearable. Not sure if I'd cope, but then I am about to give birth so quite hormonal. As for the men in these scenarios...I agree it's another thread entirely, in my experience they are often there in the background doing a lot of damage and getting away with it!

I work with child protection issues, but also not for statutory services and it has definitely got harder since having my DD, but it's not impossible.
When she was a baby I found it very hard to work with cases involving children of a similar age. I sometimes find now I just have to keep checking out my objectivity with my colleagues (am PG again atm). I think it helps to have good supervision where you can be really honest and open to feedback.
The upside is that it has made me realise what it means to be a good parent and to often stop giving myself a hard time about not always getting it right.

You're right though, lou, you will never see things the same way again!

I've wondered this myself, I don't work in CP at the moment but might go back to it. I'm wondering whether I'm also going to be much harder on myself as a parent because in some ways I feel I should be able to do it perfectly when I've been advising other people.

Even just since I've been pregnant I've found myself much more sensitive to situations but it hasn't made me less critical, I'd like to think I'll still be fair.

I definately want to get out of front line child protection now Im pregnant, just dont think i'll be able to prioritise work.
In fact Im after a transfer due to physical symptoms, off sick atm. Cant imagine cold calling some feckless parent and having to say - sorry I think Im going to faint can I sit down