CAMHs suggested I contact social services as DD is violent. What are they likely to help with?

[megletthesecond]

12yr old DD is quite violent and it impacts on me and her older brother. CAMH's have suggested I contact a local charity for counselling () and self refer to social services because of her meltdowns and she has injured me and her brother over the years.

What are social services able to help with? My expectations are rock bottom. Can they help with finding her a counsellor or repairing damage to the home?

I've already sent her to a different secondary to her brother and moved bedrooms around so he can be as far from her as much as possible.

It depends if you meet the threshold for support, which varies from area to area but can be quite high.
We didn't meet the threshold until ds meltdowns and violent outbursts got to the point of needing police intervention.
However once we did we were allocated a social worker from the disabled childrens team and they did a RAS assessment. The assessment is to work out level of need and provide funding for things like enablers, rest bite care etc....
We now have a care package and it means that once a week ds1 is with his Enabler so I can have some much needed 1:1 time with ds2.
If you get a good social worker that understands her needs they can also help add weight to referrals, so they can remind CAMHS that they should be providing counselling.
It is really hit or miss as to what level of support you can and its yet another thing that as a parent you have to fight for but its probably worth a try. You can also ask both CAHMS and the school to refer, you are more likely to get accepted with multiple referrals happening.

That's really helpful. I was amazed the police didn't turn up this morning she was screaming so loudly.

What does an enabler help with?

Our ds' enabler has him for 3hrs a week during term time and 6hrs a week during holidays. He takes him out for activities, things like golf and fishing to get him out and about- he is often reluctant to leave the house.
When he first started working with his enablers it was literally just a drive and some drive thru food until they built up a relationship with him and encouraged him to do more.
We also schedule things like his hair cuts, dentist appointments etc for when the Enabler has him because he really struggles with appointments and manages them much better with his Enabler. For really tricky appointments both the Enabler and I will take him when he needs to be 2:1.

I know other children that have things like art therapy, horse riding lessons, 1:1 swimming lessons, it should be tailored to the individual child.

As well as an assessment for DD by the disabled children's team ask for a carer's assessment for yourself.

Sometimes LAs will provide funding for things like cleaners for you.

We get direct payments for DS1&3. DS3's PA attends scouts with him, takes him out etc. We use DS1's for respite and another pair of hands, and have noticed over the past year how much we normally rely on this.

Do you have a young carer's group nearby?

Does DD have an EHCP? If so, MH support (e.g. CBT, art therapy etc.) can be included in there.

Thank you.
I've emailed them and briefly outlined the problems.

10 DD doesn't have an EHCP. I was under the impression a child needed a diagnosis to qualify but I think I'm mistaken. I'll look into it.
I'm not sure DS would be fussed about a young carers group, he's pretty good with extra curricular activities and meeting friends at the weekend. Although I did have to tell him where I've hidden the knives from his sister so she can't do anything silly, he shouldn't have to put up with it .

Make a parental request for an EHCNA. You don't need a diagnosis, they should be needs based.

We have knives locked away too, and skewers, scissors, pencil sharpeners... The constant worry you have missed something is stressful.