Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

social services are destroying my family

335 replies

justalilmummy · 21/01/2014 23:08

Social services have ruined my family and I just dont know what to do anymore, I want to run away from it all
My partner had a mental breakdown 15 months ago, leading up to this there were a few issues (arguments got out of hand abd police were called, 3 times last time 2.5 years ago)
After hes breakdown social services became involved and we were under a child in need plan
The plan said I was to protect my children by not allowing the children to be alone with their father - which I did
Partner after being released from the psychiatric hospital after 8 days was allocated a mental health nurse who he saw regularly
Everything was going great social workers visited as they still had a slight concern about dp state of mind
4 months ago he was discharged completly as they felt he was fine now and he did not have a mental disorder
Things took a bad turn after this as social worker did not agree with the decision
They first tried to convince dp to go to the doctors and get medication to help hes ' depression' even though he does not have it.
Dp did not do this so one day they turned up in the evening and said they are very concerned and he is not to come inside the family home, we were shocked by this but he went and stayed at hes mums, which we again did
6 weeks ago a child protection conference was held and they have put the children on child protection for the 'risk of emotional abuse' as father refuses to accept hes problem and I am downplaying hes mental health issues even though hes mental health worker says he doesnt have any mental disorder!
The conference was held as if he was still in the family home which he is not
Its now got even worse as they have told us that I need therapy to come to terms with the 'domestic abuse' I have suffered and my child needs therapy as well, also dp has to attend a parenting course.
They have made it very difficult for dp to attend any of these meetings as they hold them all in the afternoon even though we have repeatedly told them he can only do mornings coz of hes work
They threatened me this afternoon that as I am reluctant to go to therapy I'm giving het ammunition to take it to court for a care order
I must add there has been absolutely no issue since hes breakdown 15 months ago
This is having an awful effect on my 4 year old ds, he is waking nightly crying for hes daddy, hes begun wetting himself at school and s not eating properly
I just dont know what to do, they say this is coz he is at risk of emotional damage when it's them causing all the upset in this household :-(

OP posts:
NettleTea · 22/01/2014 21:53

really glad you spoke to the sw this evening. I think you will start to see her in a new light, and in time understand what help and support they can be.
Stay strong, and come back here if you feel a wobble, because he may start trying to put the guilts onto you, or saying the right stuff. Remember, its THEM he needs to go and say the right stuff to, not you. If you want your kids, your hands are tied as far as he is concerned. If he wants his kids he needs to start jumping through the hoops instead of you now, and prove it to them.
But I think now that you have seen the reality you cannot unsee it. Your SW will be happy for you to call her anytime, any moment you feel he might be pressuring you, any time he tries to blame you or persuade you. The fact you have kept him out of the house is such a good sign. If you dont have to actually see him, that will make things much easier. You dont have to answer his calls or texts you know either, or you could get a phone to just keep for him and his phone contact with the kids if you think he may cause you a problem
but you are doing so well xxx

AnywhereOverTheRainbow · 22/01/2014 21:57

lilmummy

Well done! :)

bertie

"Why does he do that?" by Bancroft was such an eye opening experience, I could see so many things in a different light, the truth...

It was my bible even after the report. I stuck to that advice, no matter what :)

Now for me love is love and abuse is abuse.

allthingsfluffy · 22/01/2014 22:09

You deserve so much better than him OP. This isn't a normal relationship. It shouldn't be you doing all the "making it work."

I am glad that you are beginning to see what we can see now. You still have a long way to go, but you can do it. Step by step.

You have been with him from a young age. You have no experience of being single as an adult, so its entirely normal for you to feel alone right now. But if you reach out and accept the help that's available out there, you can learn a new way to be. You can learn to be single, to bring your kids up on your own. Hopefully you will have support from your family that will enable you to have a social life, maybe go to college, if that's something you want to do.

You are still young, there is so much for you to look forward to, please don't get bogged down by this man and his depression.

He needs to access help in order to be a good father, but you can't make him. I have seen this point made on here before, and its a very good one. You are not responsible for his relationship with his kids.

I hope that once you process all these thoughts and feelings you will begin to see a way forward! We are all here to help along the way!

DeriArms · 22/01/2014 23:52

What an excellent thread.
I have recently started work as a children's social worker and there is definitely some great advice and support here as well as food for thought about how the whole process is experienced.
Keep posting OP and kudos to you for listening to and responding to all the points and suggestions made. You sound like you are trying to take things on board in a difficult situation and that's very courageous and the right thing to do.
All the best.

CouthyMow · 23/01/2014 01:48

I've caught up on this thread, and read the earlier thread.

I can see now why SS have such great concerns.

I'm glad you have taken this on board, and spoken to your SW about that. I think you might find that she, in time, will become your ally in these meetings rather than your enemy.

It IS hard to see the wood for the trees, and I think one thing that Social Workers don't seem to realise is that when you add in the stress of a CIN case, where you are at risk of losing your DC's, it puts so much added pressure on a parent that is already under pressure and a victim of DV too, and often EA that they haven't yet realised, that it becomes almost impossible for the parent to stop being fearful and stressed for ling enough to see the truth of their situation.

I DO feel that a gentler approach from SS would actually in the majority of cases like the OP's resolve the CIN concerns much faster.

Clearly setting out what constitutes EA and DV for the parent would open their eyes to things that they have often been minimising. With examples of each thing that can constitute abuse - including financial. Also stating clearly about the long term effects on a child of living in a DV situation, with possible issues it can cause for the children - NOT everyone knows this, it's NOT taught about in schools.

Ask them to look at the list, and to answer it honestly, while the SW isn't present, and going back for a second session with them, being clear about what they need done would also help.

It isn't easy, as a parent who still loves their partner, to truly see an abusive situation for what it is. And it's even less easy to know without being told, what you are meant to do to fix it.

It's very easy for me now, as a 30-something adult, who has BEEN in a previous abusive relationship, to see what you are meant to do.

As a teenage parent, or a young parent, who has no experience of this, how in the name of hell are you meant to GUESS what you are meant to do??!!

And this is, I feel, where SS goes wrong, and stops putting the DC's first. If SS were clear right from the beginning with handouts that explained everything that constitutes abuse, with examples, it would be far easier to spot when you are being abused. If they also gave clear directions on what is expected in that situation to protect the DC's, many more DC's would be protected from living in an environment with DV MUCH FASTER.

And parents who are in an abusive relationship would not feel so confused, fearful, and would be far less 'obstructive' in many cases, towards the SW's attempts at helping.

It's not always possible to find the time for navel gazing personal reflection to attempt to work out that you are in an abusive relationship and that you need to get out of it pdq when you are actually coping with being in an abusive relationship, dealing with the day-to-day stuff that comes with having DC's, AND are fearful of losing your children and not knowing why or how to fix it!

I think that a clearer picture from SS would actually PROTECT far more DC's from living in a situation with abuse present.

CouthyMow · 23/01/2014 01:52

And I would wholeheartedly recommend the earlier suggestions of the Freedom Program and reading Lundy Bancroft. And of not doing HIS work for him. Work with SS to make things better for you and your DC's.

(((Hugs))) Thanks

I'm here if you have a wobble, and I'm sure others on this thread will be too.

EirikurNoromaour · 23/01/2014 07:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Spero · 23/01/2014 08:23

Couthy, what you are saying is EXACTLY the kind of stuff I would like to get together on a blog/website aimed at helping people navigate the child protection system.

Do you mind if I cut and paste a variety of your posts? Or do you feel up to pulling them together into one piece?

I suppose I could link to this thread as an example of the kinds of thought processes you need to go through.

I agree that sometimes SW go in very hard and harsh and make immediate demands of already stressed people.

All I can say in their defence, is when you have been doing the job a while and seen the damage done to children you must get hardened and impatient to the excuses of parents as to why they won't change.

But I agree it can often be counter productive. I think it is very interesting for e.g. that over the years I have only had a handful of clients who could not or would not relate to me - because they know I am on 'their side' and we sit and chat and I listen to them and hopefully treat them with respect.

the SW however often complain that my clients are rude and won't engage.

But as my clients are polite and friendly to ME, its clearly not an issue with the clients but the toxic relationship that develops between clients and SW on occasion.

I think that is a real shame but it is so difficult for SW who have to wear two completely different hats at once - trying to protect the child and trying to keep the family together. Very often, these are competing aims.

Spero · 23/01/2014 08:25

op, I hope you are feeling ok this morning and that you can take on the good advice in this thread and move forward to a happy future with your children, in whatever form that takes.

you are still very young and you have a lot of life ahead of you! I hope it is a good one. Take all the help you can get, never be afraid or ashamed to ask. There are a lot of people out there who do want to help, even though it might be difficult to see that at times.

cory · 23/01/2014 11:21

So glad to hear you are able to move forward OP Thanks

When you feel yourself wavering- read that old thread again and remind yourself how down you felt living in that miserable atmosphere of always having to be on tenterhooks. And then try to imagine what it would be like to grow up in that as a small child. That is what SS mean when they say there is a risk of EA to your children- they are afraid being exposed to that would harm their development.

Excellent post from Couthy above. The kind of thing you learn from years on MN all distilled on a handout- brilliant idea!

ThingsThatGoBumpInTheNight · 23/01/2014 17:43

Couthymow you've given fantastic support and advice to the op on this thread (most have but yours stand out) well done Smile
You should be proud of yourself

Op, best of luck I hope everything works out for you and your dc x

CouthyMow · 23/01/2014 19:02

Having a 'family situation' with DD tonight, won't be able to turn my posts into anything coherent, feel free yo type it out and edit as you see fit, Spero.

Brew OP. Take time out for a bubble bath for yourself.

AnywhereOverTheRainbow · 23/01/2014 19:17

couthymow

And this is, I feel, where SS goes wrong, and stops putting the DC's first. If SS were clear right from the beginning with handouts that explained everything that constitutes abuse, with examples, it would be far easier to spot when you are being abused.

I absolutely agree with this. Incredibly good advice!

Spero · 23/01/2014 19:43

thanks couthy, I will stitch your posts together; I will link here to the website when it is up and running so please come and read it, if you want to change or add anything let me know.

justalilmummy · 23/01/2014 19:53

Hello all
Couthymow ur post is very much how ive been seeing things
Whenever she said dv I just assumed hes never hit me so it's not true, and the term ans when she said risk of emotional abuse I instantly fought against it as I couldn't accept it...im not an abuser I would do anything for my kids and would never ever hurt them
What u said about stress hit the nail on the head, I'm already stressed and this women walks into my house and starts making so many demands I cant process the
em, feel like shes added another mountain onto my shoulders, so I cling to my dp for support and try to get rid of her, once shes gone it will all be ok
She also speaks alot of getting US all back as a family as thats best for the kids, so I have been fighting for that, but wanting it all far too soon, so yea ive downplayed things but she wasn't fooled
Despite all thats happened I do feel terribly sorry for my dp, an already desperately unhappy man who lost hes family overnight. I just hope he has the strength to help himself. However I am trying real hard not to feel guilty, I didnt make him depressed and I cant fix him no matter how much I want to

OP posts:
Spero · 23/01/2014 20:36

Ok, it is very rough and ready but this is the start.

Couthy, please check and see if you are ok with me doing this kind of thing to your posts.
childprotectionresource.wordpress.com/category/birth-parents/

Spero · 23/01/2014 20:52

OK, that link might not work try this instead
childprotectionresource.wordpress.com

AnyFucker · 23/01/2014 21:04

OP, you are so brave and strong to still be with your thread.

DangerRabbit · 23/01/2014 22:22

I work in social services with care leavers. If our young people are unhappy with the service they are receiving from our team they can go to barnado's to see a childfen's rights advocate. Maybe they run a similar service for parents? Or would you be entitled to legal aid?

PeriodFeatures · 23/01/2014 23:23

Spero, to add to your early comments regarding the timing of meetings and DP's attendance you are correct BUT It is common practice for practitioners to focus on mother and they will not always consider that fathers need to attend. There is certainly a case for this being the responsibility of the parent but where the power balance is obviously lying with the agency it can be very difficult for families to step up and challenge. or even recognize the need to challenge until after the conference.

PeriodFeatures · 23/01/2014 23:27

DangerRabbit Family rights group offer advocacy for families. Advocacy isn't as visible at the entry point of children services. When children are in services, in foster/residential or care leavers, it is available and accessible, or should be. It should also be available to families before conference. It is for children but not for parents.

Allergictoironing · 24/01/2014 07:54

However I am trying real hard not to feel guilty, I didnt make him depressed and I cant fix him no matter how much I want to

You have to remember this & keep it in your mind. You didn't make him ill, you can't fix him, there's no reason to feel guilty over something that isn't your fault and you can't fix.

Sad things happen, you can't prevent them all or fix all those that do happen.

justalilmummy · 11/02/2014 12:12

Is anyone around having a wobble today
Sad

OP posts:
Lweji · 11/02/2014 12:13

Hmm?

justalilmummy · 11/02/2014 12:21

Had core meeting today found out they needto tell my work which means they wont want me anymore (I work with newborn babies) dp gone off sick so he has no money what am I going to do?

Also been told I have to tell my mum or they will, im very worried I didnt want her to know what's going on

Ive lost all control of my life

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread