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.

If you don't go back you have a much bigger chance of your baby being removed. Hiding and avoiding healthcare leaves your baby at significant risk of harm.

You have to show you can prioritise your baby and at the moment you're not doing that.

Go back, explain you are scared. You want to keep your baby, you'll accept support and will do whatever you can. If they say M&B placement, do it.

You need to face this head on. The alternative could be really dangerous for you and your baby.

Thank you for your reply.

If children’s services plan was removal at birth I would be informed prior to the birth so I was able to put plans in place?

Will they remove straight to foster care or go to Dad instead (we’re not together). Baby’s Dad is seen a very upstanding member of the society and sits on the local council boards that children’s services in my area is under.

Also if they suspect you are concealing your pregnancy, not accessing appropriate antenatal health care and might flee once baby is born, this risk to baby seriously increases. The LA would go to court on this basis to prevent you leaving the country.

Don't do this. You can keep baby at home with a child protection plan!

@BettyBlue712

Tell them you’d like to be considered for a MBU. Would your medications affect baby ? Let them know you’ve thought about all these things and let them know plans for things like feeding - show them that you can safeguard your baby and that you have insight . You sound intelligent and you sound like you already care for your baby a lot. I’m sure of you call then up and ask for a meeting they can help put a plan in place to support

I’m not currently on medication as I managed for a year pre pregnancy and my consultant is extremely hesitant to but me back on any.

I do care for my baby, I absolutely adore them already! Do you think it’s possible to ask for a change of social workers? I have found the current one extremely difficult to work with and her discussing me with ex and his family makes me feel really uncomfortable.

I I am not in the UK. I have nothing to say about UK law. Just pointing out the sad fact that you were not safe to care for your first child and are currently rejecting the supports offered for this child in utero in order to pursue a specific form of unbounded snd unsupported motherhood that your mental health condition renders dangerous to this child.

Thank you for your response! Can I ask how they stop you leaving the country whilst pregnant?

I thought they could only apply for an interim care order etc once baby is born so how would they stop me leaving? I’ve never committed a crime, don’t do drugs or alcohol etc so how would they remove passport?

You will be informed and involved / you will be told to get a solicitor and the concerns and what you need to do to avoid separation will be shared with you in writing.

If dad is on the birth certificate he has PR which is something to consider. He can ask the court for a paternity test and to be added to the birth certificate. If you are not allowed to keep baby in your care initially - and this is never a forever decision until determined by a judge in court, dad will be assessed to care for the baby yes if he is wanting to, yes.

It doesn't sound like you are at this level. Hear the conference concerns , access perinatal mental health care, engage with support, take medical advice re medication and show a willingness to prioritise the needs of your baby. It's ok to struggle and it's ok to say you need help, a new baby is never easy and don't be fearful to say what you need.

Look up prohibited steps order

I do not have a previous child.

It’s really disappointing to see one woman bring another woman down and call her ‘dangerous’ due to a mental health problem. People with beliefs such as yours are the people who make it difficult for mothers with mh issues to seek help because they’re so concerned about the repercussions.

Take care

Yes you can absolutely ask for a different social worker - just ask to speak to the manager and request this , let them know you are willing to work with them and have your baby’s best interest at heart - it’s obvious to me - a total stranger on the internet how much you care for your baby so they will see that too.

Your consultant will get a chance to speak with the social worker too and everyone will give their opinion on how best to help and support you. I honestly would take the offer of a MBU place I think they would see how dedicated you are and you would pass any parenting assessments

That is a different poster. This woman does not have a previous child. Your post was pretty insensitive and wrong.

Thank you!

Baby’s father has children from previous marriage he takes care of permanently due to their mother being physically unwell so almost certainly would be assessed as a positive carer.

I’m just concerned that they may overlook me and go straight to him because it’s ’easier’ or will I still get a fair chance?

I will contact children’s services and ask for support. I am just so concerned as I had a massive argument with the social worker (it wasn’t just from me, she was really having a go)

Can you access a support worker or someone who can go with you to any meetings with social services ? It may be worth asking your MH team as I think the support would be good

I’m too early for a definite place but it has been discussed by my mh team although not by children’s services as yet.

I was on a physical health ward next to my local MBU and I could see into their gardens - it looks really lovely if I’m honest! It’s also only 15 minutes drive from my home and my families home so people could visit me with baby.

Didn't you have puerperal psychosis with your last baby?

I have a CPN but I’m going to try and find a support worker as she’s not always available.

If not, I could take my Mum but would that been seen as a negative as she’s not ‘neutral’ in the sense she’s on my side?

Is the baby's father going to come to the conference?

I haven’t had a previous baby so I haven’t had that illness but I am at risk of it because of my diagnosis.

I think there’s been a similar poster on here and there’s been a mix up.

You are not stuck, you just don't know your options.
You must be terrified; someone is growing inside you and meeting after meeting is causing you stress and concern with if you'll ever be able to bring them up.
Here's some things to think about:
The father of the baby, is he supportive of your choices to birth abroad?
Have you somewhere that is safe, clean and you have enough food etc abroad for a baby?
On your last midwife appointment, was your baby growing well?
In the other country can you continue to manage your mental health or will you risk running out of medication?
Could you feel comfortable contacting the mental health teams in the country abroad if necessary?
This is your body and your baby. You need to stay as well as possible and the stress of all these people are not helpful.
If you could liaise with a doula etc you could keep record that you're working with someone because this will be another black mark to your record.

Ive only ever heard good things about them - everyone there will just really want you to succeed , they would support and nurture you as a new mother as much as they would care for and help you nurture your baby. They want you to succeed and they offer so much support and guidance. You will be able to access all the support and appointments you need as well as they will look after your baby if you have to go to an appointment etc they just generally help in any way they can. Just think of the future once you’ve overcome this, if you run away you’ll always be anxious and looking over your shoulder and I feel like you deserve a chance - you just have to be open to working with social services

I honestly don’t know as I don’t often speak to him.

He will be invited and I imagine he will come. He’s 110% ‘normal’ for want of a better word so I know children’s services will have absolutely no issues with him.

If you don’t have a professional support worker of course take your mum - it shows you have family support which is positive and a protective factor

I have absolutely no plans for leaving the country I just feel I have no other option at this point.

If I knew I could stay here and keep baby, even if we were on child protection for 10 years and had 3x daily visits I’d stay…

I just could not cope with them taking my baby and me never seeing the little thing again. It might sound dramatic but I think I’d die of a broken heart.

It's just that all your circumstances are exactly the same, even down to the garden at the MBU.