Social services referral?

[Kat140]

Hi so I had a midwife’s appointment today and she said that she has to refer me to social services because of my age, I’m 16 years old and will be 17 having the baby. I’m just wondering if this is true as it’s never happened to anyone I have spoken to that has had children younger than me?!
May I also add that I have no involvement of social service and never have nether has my baby’s farther and when the baby is here she has no threat to harm agains her and will be well looked after.

Hello, I don’t know what the standard procedure is but if you’re only 16 and not an adult I don’t think it seems that unreasonable. I’m sorry it has worried you but please work with them for the sake of your baby.

Yes, due to your age. Look at it as a positive thing- they will make sure you have any support you need.

Try not to worry overly - a family member had a baby fairly young recently and believe SS did look over the case but ultimately had no concerns. Good luck with it all, I wouldn't panic they're there to help after all.

It's normal they help you, baby and discuss your options like continuing education don't worry it's not about concerns.

Age of consent in the UK is 16. OP is 16.

🙄

I would imagine they would want to check what support you have and your living situation and ability to provide for a baby at your age. Also maybe your partner?

Umm not in the uk she's not, legal age is 16 and if she'll be 17 when baby is born then there's no indication she was underage when she started having sex.

theyll mainly be looking at making sure you have access to all the services you are entitled to. In lots of areas there's specialist health teams that support teenage parents like yourself.

She’s not under the legal age. And if she will be 17 when the baby is born she wasn’t under the legal age when she got pregnant

Well, yes, because you're a child.

Assuming she's in the UK 16 is not actually under age. I do think OP should work with Social Services though as they will have the child's best interest at heart.

Op, ignore @mollymazda she is incorrect about the age of consent

Yes, it will be to support you so don’t worry. It’s likely your maternity unit will have a specialist team who are used to supporting women under 20 (a young parent is 19 and under) and the level of support with vary due to need.

A person under 18 is still legally a child.

Hence the SS involvement.

Once the OP shows she is coping and a good mother they won't be interested.

Was the person who got you pregnant an adult or child?
I don't think the midwife would lie to you.

But I am also the legal age to have sex? I understand that I’m still a “child” but there are much younger women having children younger than me.

She's 16, that's legal unless she got pregnant at 15.

Social services aren't just there for safeguarding. They're a resource to support families and can make sure you're aware of all financial and practical support available. They're there for support, view it as a positive.

You are legally old enough to have sex.

Just be aware that different local authorities and different hospital trusts deal with pregnant women and girls differently depending on their age. In your case you are with one who have decided that as you are not an adult you need a SS referral.

Don't worry about it and just do what you need to do.

I'm sorry OP I'm not judging, but the "younger women" you're referring to are literal children, so not women.

Social services are getting involved to support you, engage with them, and if there's no concerns, they'll close the case.

She will be 17 when the baby is born so she must have been 16 when it was conceived

OP I would really try not to worry about this and just assume they're ensuring that you have enough support around you given that you're so young. You never know once your baby is born you might welcome an extra layer of support, I imagine you might be worrying that they might potentially be trying to take your baby away or suggest that you can't look after it probably, but in reality they most probably just want to make sure that you're protected and looked after from a wellbeing perspective.

Also to add, if there are girls younger than you that you know have had children, I think it's really strange that they wouldn't have had social services involvement. They really should have because they're below the age of consent to have sex and really are children themselves.

Yes you are legally allowed to have sex but children having children is not ideal, it doesn't mean you can't be a great Mum though and part of that is accepting help.
If SS have no concerns then they will leave you alone after their checks unless something happens to cause concern.
Don't worry about anyone else having or not having SS involvement, maybe they did and didn't tell you or lied?

OP really don’t worry. Absolutely nothing ominous about the referral. Consider it as potentially another agency that can support you and your baby. They are your friends and can be a huge help if necessary . Congratulations,you can do this .