Anyone know about what this referral could be?

[JJ456]

Attended booking appointment today at 8 weeks and in the appointment my partner mentioned that when he was a child social services visited his home because of some concerns. He was about 6 at the time.

The midwife said she would have to make some sort of referral to the social care hub to investigate it??

She gave us some sort of acronym name for the referral but I didn’t catch it and despite pushing wouldn’t really give a straight answer regarding what they were looking for and potential consequences. Of course we are now we’re terrified that there’s going to be some doubt cast on us as potential parents.

My partner has no contact with parents who were the ones being investigated. We live in a safe home, good jobs etc and our baby will be safe, loved and well looked after.

Does anyone know the name of this referral, what it is, why it happened and what the consequences would be? Didn’t feel like this was explained really and we are quite worried.

I’m sure someone else will know much more than me but that’s strange - my youngest child was born 15 years ago but we were never asked about childhood social services contact - is that a thing now? My H had significant involvement from them due to abuse/neglect so I’d remember if we’d been asked

Mash?

As pp was it MASH? Multi agency safeguarding hub

It could be to do with the area. I live in an area with high ss involvement and I was asked

Could be a MASH referral - multi agency safeguarding hub. It seems a bit obscure to do this but maybe a social worker on here can enlighten us. Try not to worry, they are just being cautious I expect. It will likely not result in anything.

Thanks all. I know it wasn’t MASH as the letters are wrong and I work with children so would have recognised it. Appreciate the suggestion though!

And as PP has said - yes it is weird that they did it. Can’t imagine it resulting in anything as we have nothing to hide - like to think we’re nice people!!

Acronyms are often area specific..eg MASH isn't used here any more. Suspect it could be something like Pre Birth Liaison meeting or similar.
The purpose of it is just to make sure of what your husband has said. Theyll just treat it as worst case scenario such as someone who mentions social care involvement could have been in care due to committing offences against their siblings or something, or a close relative could be a risk to children. Not saying any of that is accurate just they will check to avoid missing anything 🙂

I've never heard of this! At my booking apt I was asked the same. I had a social worker involved as a child and teen. I also have mental health issues.. But was never referred anywhere.

Had my booking today and was asked if I’d ever had a social worker, so I think it’s a standardised question these days?

Could it have been GIRFEC? Getting it right for every child?

if all that happened was your DH had a social worker when he was 6, and there’s no other social work involvement, then you may never even hear from a social worker. If you do, it will just be a phonecall and then you just tell them what you’ve said here. I’m a social worker. I don’t think the midwife should have made a referral in your case.

of course, if there is other stuff on record, or if you need any support, then the conversation will be longer. You can call your local council to ask what’s happening if you want. Id leave it til Tuesday, then call.

How odd why did he tell them that? It’s normal for midwives to ask if you’ve been involved but they mean you directly not your parents or as a child! Odd of him to bring that up!

This seems a bit rude? The midwife asked about any SS involvement while we were growing up and if either of us had been in foster care. He told the truth.

@Wasywasydoodah thank you for this, personally don’t feel like they would see anything to escalate but it’s natural to worry I suppose - it wasn’t explained too well and we felt a bit like we were on trial.