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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Referral To Social Services?

35 replies

midori1999 · 19/02/2010 16:24

At my booking appointment with my midwife, I was asked if I had ever suffered from depresion. I have, so I answered yes and was told that they would need to contact social services re this. The midwife rang social services while I was there and said that no referral had to be made.

However, I had a phone call today from Social services to say I was on a waiting list and someone would be contacting me re a visit. I'm not worried, and have nothing to hide, but I really feel it is over the top. Surely have a past history of depression does not mean my children are at risk in any way? I have never had any social services involvement before.

Is this the norm these days? Didn't happen with my previous children.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Disenchanted3 · 19/02/2010 16:26

Both DH and I have been refered for mh problems we have never had any contact with SS.

our eldest is 5 and youngest 1.

Besom · 19/02/2010 16:31

Just because you had depression? No that isn't right. I think when ss come out they'll be thinking wtf?

I would give them a phone and explain what happened because they won't want to be wasting their time or yours.

sheepgomeep · 19/02/2010 16:34

Well both myself and dp have had MH issues too and I was severely depressed with my last pregnancy. I also self harm which I've been very open about with my gp and midwife. I've never been referred to social services because of this reason.

seems like an over reaction to me but maybe I'm just going on my own experience. Is it normal to be referred to ss for depression? can anyone else enlighten us?

Original poster

midori1999 · 19/02/2010 16:36

Sorry Disenchanted? 'mh' problems?

Besom SS know why they have been referred to me. The midwife rang them and apparently the have decided they need to see me. She asked the names and DOB of all my children when she rang. I am now married toa solider and she did ask when she rang if I 'lived on camp' so I am not sure if there are some sort of cultural bias against forces families and maybe that has a bearing.

This is my first pregnancy in Northern ireland, so maybe they do things differently over here?

It just seems a bit of a pain for no real reason really.

OP posts:

Besom · 19/02/2010 16:38

No it is not normal. Not if there are no other issues and no reason to think the dc at risk.

Original poster

midori1999 · 19/02/2010 16:42

Sorry, I have realised what 'mh' is...

There really is no other reason. It was just my antenatal booking appointment, the only info she had from me was relating to my health and previous pregnancies.

OP posts:

Besom · 19/02/2010 16:47

mh problems - mental health problems.

Depression is so common - don't think ss could physically manage to visit every parent who had ever suffered from it, even if there was a reason why they should do (which there isn't.) This makes no sense to me.

Glad you're not worried, though. I don't imagine you've any reason to be.

Pineapplechunks · 19/02/2010 16:48

I had the same thing OP. This was for my 1st baby though, do you have other children who came after your MH issues? Have you moved borough since then? Maybe each borough or PCT have different guidelines regarding this.

I saw a social once when pregnant then once again when DD was about 10 days old. The case closed then as there were no issues regarding her care and my ability to look after her. Just precaution I think. Nothing to worry about.

I think it shows a good level of service actually from SS, if there were more visits and more caution like this then less kids may be likely to be mistreated.

Besom · 19/02/2010 16:51

It sounds as if they may be just covering themselves because it was another professional that phoned.

Original poster

midori1999 · 19/02/2010 16:53

I got PND after my first son who is now 13. I have had depression on and off a couple of times since then, but never been referred in my subsequent two pregnancies, nor got PND again. We have moved though, from England to Northern Ireland, so maybe that's it.

My now ex Dh and I were accepted as foster carers with aprivate agency who had no problems with my previous depressiona nd I have also worked as a youth worker with SS referred children (as opposed to an open youth group) and it was never a problem then, so I suppose I am just suprised really.

I suppose it is good in a way, but just a bit of a pain.

OP posts:

Besom · 19/02/2010 17:00

I'm surprised to. I think you're taking it very sensibly though.

2babesmum · 19/02/2010 17:41

This post is a strange situation...a referral to childrens services because of depression...??? I'm a third year ss student and would be surprised if a referral was accepted on these terms?

Besom · 19/02/2010 17:57

too not to!

Original poster

midori1999 · 19/02/2010 17:57

I have just checked my antenatal notes and the midwife has written on there, 'gateway team phoned due to history of depression - no action required'.

The midwife definitely said they had to ring SS in the case of anyone having ahistory of depression, and when the social worker (I assume social worker) rang today she definitely said she was ringing regarding a referral after my booking appointment.

There is a social worker here on camp, I think, here all the time. I might pop over and see her tomorrow to see if she can make any sense of it.

OP posts:

Besom · 19/02/2010 18:02

That seems a good idea midori.

onadietcokebreak · 19/02/2010 18:13

2babesmum please could you pop over onto students parents thread. Im able to post on there and think you may be able to help me!

Thanks

Sorry Op for hijack

JazzieJeff · 19/02/2010 18:16

Midori: at your midwife referring you to SS and asking 'if you live on camp'!!! Jesus, that went out with the Ark didn't it? DH and I are both Armed Forces and live in a quarter, if we ever have a problem because of partners being away and stuff, we have NPFS which we can call 24/7 and it's pretty much like ss but a hell of a lot more normal and I know several women on our patch who told their midwives about their depression and who never got referred because they were service families. If there's any problems they just call NPFS and they sort it right out; extra childcare, getting their partners home if possible, whatever really. Hope everything works out for you, your kids are lucky to be a part of your family; from what I can see the kids who live on the patch are all really good mates and bond together really well and everyone looks out for each other. What a nice way to grow up

colie · 19/02/2010 18:18

I am a 2nd year social work student and find this a strange situation. I have actually just finished a 4 month placement in a child protection team and never came across a referral because a pregnant lady had previously sufferred depression (or currently).

Though we did get a referral from a hospital nurse because a women had attempted suicide a few times and lived by herself with a young son.

The main concern was about the level of support she had in the community.

I can only think that the ss might want to check your mental health history with you and possibly if/what support you have in the community. ie. family/friends.

Though as I said, I am extremely surprised this referral has been accepted. Your local authority must employ alot of social workers if they can go out to every women who has said they have had depression at some time.

mummyof2byapril · 20/02/2010 14:24

Your midwife is not only wasting social services time, but could be causing you a massive amount of distress, luckily you don't seen bothered.
Social services should only be contacted if anyone is concerned about your children being harmed.
I would flee the fucking country if they came near me, but that's because I know social services all too well and what they're capable of.

Nymphadora · 20/02/2010 14:41

I work for SS and by your midwifes rules I will be referred at my booking appointment

Original poster

midori1999 · 20/02/2010 15:16

I do wonder if it is because I have had depressions and am in a forces family and am having twins. The social worker who phoned did ask if I had much support.

It's more than a bit judgemental though, and unecessary, IMO. I think I'll pop to see the social worker (if that's what she is, something to do with social services) that is based here on camp on Monday to see if she can make any sense of it. Like I said, I have no problem with it, but seems silly to waste their time.

OP posts:

Original poster

midori1999 · 21/02/2010 16:18

I think I am becoming unreasonably upset about this now. Not helped by the fact that my husband is away, I am tired and my mind is running riot.

I have spoken to a few other pregnant ladies, some of whom have had depression and some are also in Ireland, and none of them have been referred, so I am wondering why I have.

I am going to go and see the social worker based here on camp tomorrow, and might also speak to my GP, but is it unreasonable to ring SS and ask exactyl why I have been referred? Especially since in my notes the midwife has written 'no action required'?

OP posts:

colie · 21/02/2010 16:43

Midori1999- it is not unreasonable at all to ring them and ask exactly why you have been referred.I would be doing exactly that if I was in your position. Especially when you are having to wait on a social worker visiting you. This is just giving you more time to worry so I would definatly phone them and ask why you have been referred. Any social worker in the assessment team I was in would have been happy and was happy explaining things over the phone.

If you can't get one who is free to talk to you, ask to speak to whoever is the duty social worker that day.

Original poster

midori1999 · 21/02/2010 16:46

Thanks. I will pop over to see the SW on here in the morning and depending on whats he says, give SS a ring.

I know I have no reason to worry, my three existing children are perfectly fine, as am I, but I am feeling a little anxious today. I think it is probably the not knowing doing it, as well as tiredness etc.

Thankyou.

OP posts:

FlyingDuchess · 21/02/2010 16:50

This reply has been deleted

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