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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Social services involvement

40 replies

Starburst1144 · 11/09/2017 10:30

Hi, was hoping I could get some advice without being judged. I'm going to start from the very beginning and go into detail so that someone can give me an informed reply.

I had my first child when I was 18. While I was pregnant my partner violently attacked me & my baby was put on child protection. I attended the freedom project and did everything they asked of me. Once he was 6 months old he was taken off and my case closed. He is now 7 and is doing brilliantly in school and is happy and healthy. We have so much family support and love around us.

3 years later I got a new partner. He had been in trouble with the police for various things but nothing while we were together. One evening he had a family bbq, got drunk and ended up fighting with his dad. The whole family were there including me and my son, although we were in the house with the door locked and they were in the garden. The police were called and because my son was there, they informed social services.

Because of my past relationship and now this new partner who seems to become violent when alcohol is involved, we were taken to conference again. We did everything they asked of us including only seeing each other without my child there for a while. He went to alcohol classes and anger management. The case finally was closed.

A year later I fell pregnant with his baby. Things were great, my health visitor who had supported us through all the conferences was extremely happy for us. (She never really seen why we were on child pretection, as there was no domestic violence towards me and my child was always kept safe) everything was brilliant for a year.

Our relationship broke down when I found out he had been unfaithful. I took my children and took myself to my aunties out of the way. This only angered my ex because he felt I was taking his son from him. He sent me various threatening messages and also threatened my family. I called the police and told them about the threats made. Social services came to visit me but no further action was taken.

Things calmed down and although we never got back into a relationship we were trying to be friends for the kids sakes and we still had family outings and he would come round for dinner some evenings. This was great for a year, until he felt that things were so good we could make a go of it again. I told him there was no way I would ever be in a relationship with him again, as the trust was gone. But I would like to stay friends. He completely lost it and he smashed up my property. The police were called and he was arrested. Social services came out to visit once again and advised me that if it was found out me and him were continuing a relationship (which we are not) my children would be taken to conference once again & this would not look good at all. How many times does a child have to be put on child protection before something is done? I completely understand. The case has been closed with the warning of what will happen if I ever was to get back with him.

Anyway my problem is... before social services made a visit. I went on a night out and ended up bumping into my ex, I'd had a drink and ended up going to a hotel with him. Stupid decision! I have now found out I am 3+ weeks pregnant and I am terrified. I can't help but think that if I tell SS, they won't believe that I am no longer in a relationship with him.

If a midwife was to tell ss that I am pregnant again, could they reopen the case, even though I am not with my ex and we both agree enough is enough?

Will my children all be taken from me?

Do I have to name the father?

Will I be investigated again or will they only become involved if there is another incident?

I know this is a tricky case and that's why I have tried to include everything. I'm in a right mess and although the thought of termination makes me sick, if I need to do it for the sake of the two children I already have and love, I will do. The guilt of me even saying that is horrendous and I'm sitting here in floods of tears. I've got myself in the worst situation & I really don't know what to do. Please any advise will be helpful, thanks.

OP posts:
Sleephead1 · 11/09/2017 11:31

Op its so hard and only you can make a decision but i dont think you can lie to your midwife. Social services send reports to gps so it will be in your record for gp, midwife, health visitor to see if they find out they are duty bound to report it. So i would make your decision based on the fact they will find out. They are going to think you are still having contact as either you both go out in same places or you have contacted each other when drinking. Sorry your having such a tough time

Bluntness100 · 11/09/2017 11:36

You're not going to be able to hide the fact you're pregnant from him and he will suspect it's his due to timing. And this is going to give a huge amount of complexity in terms of his rights to see his child and how he deals with that.

And yes social services are clearly going to become involved again sooner or later.

In addition could you manage three kids on your own? Financially as well as logistically? How would another baby impact the kids you already have, before you factor in the abusive ex? You're still only 25 or so and very young.

It is a hard decision but you've so many factors, from caring for your existing kids through to the issues you face with him and social services involvement in your lives. I think even with the best will in the world continuing with the pregnancy sadly will bring a lot of difficulties into all your lives.

SirNiallDementia · 11/09/2017 11:41

Suck a hard decision for you star but I think I would also do the same in your shoes.

If you had the baby, I think SS would be concerned that you are unable/ unwilling to stay out of a relationship with a violent and abusive man and as a result are failing to prioritise the needs/ wellbeing of your children.

They would also be very concerned if they found out you had lied about the identity of the father - and they would find out if the father asked for a DNA test or a friend/ relative raised concerns. Lying about the father's identity is actually one of the worst pieces of advice I've read on Mumsnet.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

JigglyTuff · 11/09/2017 11:44

I think your summary of what's likely to happen if you go ahead with this pregnancy is spot on. Sorry.

stitchglitched · 11/09/2017 12:05

OP in some areas you can self refer directly to Marie Stopes or BPAS without any involvement from from your GP and it will still be funded by the NHS. It is worth giving them a call to see if they offer that near you. All the best.

TiramisuQueenoftheFaeries · 11/09/2017 16:37

You can self refer for a termination and request that records of it are not sent to your GP IME. Just go straight to Marie Stopes or BPAS.

In your shoes I would probably terminate, yes. SS would read this, arguably rightly, as showing you do not have the ability to keep this individual out of your children's lives and protect them. And another baby would indeed very likely increase his access to them and make you very vulnerable to him worming his way in and abusing your children again. Tbh it's not really relevant that when the second CP plan came in he'd only been violent to his dad, is it? They were right about him and he's amply proved he's violent and abusive since.

notarehearsal · 11/09/2017 17:06

Would Social Services necessarily get involved with a family because there was a new pregnancy? Why would the midwife make a referral? Your case is not currently open to Social care so is it any of their business if you are pregnant?
I actually think I would terminate but also feel uncomfortable that you may feel that the threat of social services being involved again is forcing your decision. I do understand that they would get involved should they think that you are back in a relationship with this man, but you're not

stitchglitched · 11/09/2017 17:12

Well you have to disclose any previous SS involvement when you have your booking in appt and it sounds like their last visit and warning was within the last 3 weeks so surely the MW would be obliged to inform them?

tobeornottobe1 · 11/09/2017 17:20

OP your not back with him though. You said you slept with him before social services paid their last visit with you, therefore you was already pregnant at that point.

Surely if you conceived before this all happened than I cant see why ss would take your children.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 11/09/2017 17:25

Surely if you conceived before this all happened than I cant see why ss would take your children.

SS would very much be interested.

Justgivemesomepeace · 11/09/2017 17:26

Awful situation. I get why you think a termination is the best option, awful to feel your hand is being forced and you have to live with this decision for the rest of your life. You have to consider what may potentially happen to your life and your children's lives if you don't though. I think it's the right decision. You really need to consider, possibly through counselling However, why you keep making such bad choices and getting mixed up with violent abusive men, so this doesn't happen again and you can make a positive life for yourself and children going forward.

tobeornottobe1 · 11/09/2017 17:58

Piglet interested in what exactly? They knew she was seeing him before he smashed her house up again? So why would it be a shock if op was pregnant if they knew she was seeing him?

hazel477 · 05/11/2018 20:45

bit harsh

Butterflybaby888 · 07/02/2024 02:09

Hi I need some advice.
my son who is now 4 was taken into care at 1 and a half and he was returned to my care 8 months ago,
I have made so many changes in my life and everything is going great with me and my son and we are just awaiting the discharge of the order made at court
however I am pregnant again due to a one night stand, I got the coil a year before and had a smear test and the nurse couldn’t find my strings and sent me for a ultrasound to locate them when at 6 weeks pregnant I found out I was with child
I am not in contact with the father as he blocked me the day after we slept together. I just know him by his nickname.
i am really scared now about what is going to happen as I’m now 14 weeks pregnant

Moanyoldcow · 07/02/2024 08:51

@Butterflybaby888

you need to start your own thread if you want advice.

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