Pre Birth Initial Child Protection Conference

[BettyBlue712]

Hi Mumsnet

I hope this is posted in the correct place.

I was recently referred children’s service whilst pregnant. This initially began as a ‘section 17 assessment’. I have been told they are now holding a strategy meeting for a ‘section 47 assessment’ and it will be going to a pre birth initial child protection conference.

I have been told that even before the strategy meeting, assessment and conference my child will be placed on the minimum of a child protection plan whilst pregnant and after birth.

I’m slightly confused as I thought the next step after child protection was removal at birth?

Could anyone advise me on what to expect over the next couple of months, I’m in my second trimester so a little bit to go…

Does the confirmation of a cp early on in pregnancy pretty much mean removal at birth? It’s difficult as I’m trying to predict what the social workers are going to do before they tell me.

It will depend on a lot of factors and each case is different due to level and type of risk.

If you feel able to give the reason we may be able to help more but if not I understand. They will be looking to make sure your baby will be safe and what reasons they are concerned about that. Work with them and take legal advice .

My risk is solely mental health. It is difficult as the social worker’s current words are ‘I believe your child is at a significant risk of harm due to your mental health’

My diagnosis is Schizoaffective Disorder so both schizophrenia and bipolar. They are concerned about how this will pose a risk to baby.

Is this likely to mean removal at birth? If they’re worried about risk so early on?

My plan is to leave the country if I was told my child would be removed so I need a good idea early on as to their plan for baby.

You’ll have to look at things like have you recently had any deterioration/needed to access crisis help. Have you self harmed etc. (Don’t feel you need to answer here it’s just things to ask yourself to help you see what they may be worried about).

If you have a diagnosis/are having therapy are you under any teams who can advise social services about level of risk etc ?

Look at protective factors - do you have a good relationship/ support network/ stable housing etc

Is the baby's father on the scene? sensible person/supportive?

My plan is to leave the country if I was told my child would be removed so I need a good idea early on as to their plan for baby

this does not suggest that you have your baby's best interests at heart, sorry......

A pre birth assessment should be completed within 45 days and at least 10-12 weeks before due date ? How far into that are you

Do you mean you have family abroad ? Or that you are planning to flee alone ?

Ate you the poster whose older child lives with the ex partner, and who already pisted your intention to leave the country for the birth.

The poster has had a lot of advice on previous threads. It is a complex situation and she has been advised to engage with perinatal mental health team and social workers.

Yes

Have you posted before and you have a ds who lives with his dad?

You can ask your social worker about mother and baby placements - they can then keep you and baby together and do parenting assessments and offer the support you may need

I had a deterioration in January. Ambulance and police were called due to psychotic features and suicide ideation. I voluntarily went to hospital and was discharged around an hour later.

I don’t self harmed and haven’t in over 10 years.

I’m under mh team and they have stated on multiple occasions I am ‘not a risk to children and never have been’ but Children’s Services do not accept this.

For instance; I had a conversation with the social worker and I explained some concerns I had. She then called my child’s father and told him she was extremely concerned for my mh but she didn’t call a mh team etc. I had several meetings that day and no one else was concerned about my mental health.

That isn’t me. I do not have a previous child.

I hope the other poster gets the help they need though.

Hope you have support. Could you perhaps look into getting an advocate to help you understand the situation more?

www.voiceability.org/about-advocacy/types-of-advocacy/independent-mental-health-advocacy-imha

Engage fully with all available services, show up to meetings, answer phone calls and surround yourself with supportive factors. If you have family members and friendships, keep your relationships strong as the more you have around you as supportive factors the more positive the outcome will be. Attend all doctors appointments and do as much as possible to maintain consistent mental health. If you are considering leaving the country this doesn't sound positive and instead you need to reach out for help. Put your baby first and that means staying here and working through this. Giving it your best and trusting the outcome. IF your baby is removed, attend all contact sessions and develop the bond while any parenting assessment takes place.

Planning to flee the country does not suggest you have the baby's best interest at heart

I say this kindly OP , engage with every service , every meeting , every conversation

If it's safe and appropriate then you will keep your baby , if not then the baby is safer somewhere else for now ?

Just keep engaging with your health professionals and social worker - let them know you want to do the right thing and can they find a mother and baby placement then you will get to show them that you can manage and aren’t a threat. If you google your local area and mother and baby units you can see where your nearest is and get all
your health professionals on board to support that

@BettyBlue712 I can understand why you're frightened at the moment but leaving the country is a terrible idea unless you're going somewhere you have support.

You need to work with them and think about safety plans for your baby.
What's the potential risk to your baby?
How does medication impact you?
Who else can provide support if you're unwell?

They are involved because they are worried and they will be more worried if you don't engage and resist support.

A pre-birth assessment is looking at your capacity to care for your baby and keep them safe and well. It doesn't necessarily mean removal of your baby.

They might suggest a mother and baby placement if they think you'll need extra support/assessment.

I do have family abroad although it’s unlikely I would go to that country. I would just choose to emigrate whilst pregnant which quite a few women/families do.

I don’t think a placement would be right for me but talk of a MBU has been mentioned. If they were concerned enough for a placement then I think I would be in MBU to monitor medications etc.

If I’m totally honest I’m currently in a position where I have cancelled my nhs antenatal care and told children’s services I am having a termination because I’m struggling to deal with their assessments and all these child protection meetings - it’s getting ridiculous!

I’m now in a position where I can’t exactly call up the nhs and ask to reinstate my care and tell children’s services I’m actually having a baby…

I’m stuck. If I go back to them now they’re definitely going to take my baby.

I’m just looking for professionals in this field to give me an honest answer. If there’s a chance to turn it round I will go back to antenatal care and SS but if not I have no other option but to leave.

Ok, look: both schizoaffective and bipolar are serious mental health conditions. Both are marked by lack of insight into the condition so the patient often does not know how impaired their judgment is, how erratic their behavior is, or how risky their behavior is.

A person who is very fixated on themselves and their desire (I want to be a mother) but who is impulsive, erratic, has periods of mania alternating with depression, who has self harmed or neglected herself in the past should not have primary care of a vulnerable infant or child.

You might want to be a mother. it might be very sad that you can not safely be a mother. But it is not ok for you to put another human at risk to satisfy a selfish desire to take on a role that you can not perform.

I might want to be a brain surgeon but I can’t be as I do not have the training and skill to do it. Life is cruel, like that. But it would be more cruel if i were to Kill someone while living out my fantasy.

No it doesn't mean removal at birth.
I was a pre birth social worker.
Cp conference determines if baby is considered at risk of significant harm (emotional, neglect, physical or sexual harm are the categories)
Your baby can go home with a cp plan, there will be a multi agency discharge planning meeting before you leave hospital and there should be enhanced often daily visits by social worker/midwife/health visitor etc. the plan will be reviewed regularly and a review conference held after 3 months.
if worries are so serious they are considering separation from you, there will be a legal meeting and you will be given a letter before proceeding- this will tell you to take the letter to a solicitor and it will outline everything you need to do to avoid the LA going to court to ask for removal at birth. You will be fully involved in this meeting and it should be well before baby is imminently due. You need to be clear on birth plan before due date you shouldn't have any surprises as this is unethical and risky to you and baby's health.
If it is first baby or wherever possible you would be offered a parent and baby foster placement and if baby was removed into foster care, contact with them and you will be encouraged. Baby's can and recreated home after assessments and the court case determines whether it is safe for baby to go home to parents - this is always the legal preference.
Social workers will also ask you to nominate alternative family members who could care for baby if a court decides you can not.
Court cases can only be heard once baby is born and legally a person. Therefore hearings are often held in the first days after birth - this is unsurprisingly very challenging and emotive and sometimes there is an option of virtual hearings.

Cp plan doesn't mean you'll loose you baby but that you need to work with all agencies involved, access support and make changes to ensure your baby is safe and happy.

ive known of a few MBU and all were amazing-extremely homely, supportive, wonderful staff and very fair when conducting parenting assessments- dont let the social workers keep charge of this - show that you recognise their concerns and you know you need to prove to them that you will be a good parent - if they’ve mentioned a MBU say yes - places are limited and you need one , just think a few weeks in one and pass your parenting assessments and you can then go home with your baby . You don’t want to run away and be looking over your shoulder all the time , you deserve to enjoy your baby so please take their support

So you’re saying my child is going to be removed at birth? That is your opinion?

Of course there is a chance to turn it round. Be honest - say that you were doubting yourself and that you would like their help. If they’ve mentioned a MBU say yes and tell them that’s what you’d like. They will understand and they want to work with you for the best outcome for your baby