Someone to watch over me.

[woodpops]

Did anyone see this last night on BBC1? It was about Bristol Social Services. It was a real eye opener. A baby of an ex drug user died and the family were blaming the social worker for allowing the baby to go home with it's mother. I really think you need to be a special person to do that job. I'd find myself getting too involved.

i saw this too woodpops. When they showed the newborn withdrawing from drugs I was in tears.

It made me really think. I admire people who do this type of work. I couldn't do it - I'd get too involved and be far to judgemental

I know, that poor little baby pulling at her face. I would worry about those children 24/7. It was so sad.

I felt sad for the teenage girl. She was bright, pretty, articulate...and off her face on drink/drugs at the end. She is already on the fringes of prostitution, regularly dealing in drugs and clearly using, too....at 14

But as a parent could you ever kick your child onto the street believing what your doing is for the best??? I know it's easy to judge as a viewer and things would be different if I was in that position but TBH I can't ever see myself getting into that position with my kids. IMO too many parents want to be their childrens 'mates' these days rather than parents.

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I missed this, but when DD2 was in SCBU there was a baby in there that was withdrawing from Morphine. Her mum and dad were both drug users and I only saw them once. The grandfather and the auntie came in more than the parents did. It was horrid to watch this full term tiny baby feed, throw up straight after and then scream this high pitch scream all the time

my sister works for Social Services as a family support worker and she hates it sometimes

I thought the teenage girl seemed very bright and articulate too

Was in tears at the baby at the end

was a good prog glad i saw it

My DD2 (19) is hoping to start the Social Work degree next September and she watched this - I didn't know it was on or I would have too. She found it very affecting and was terribly relieved that the (very young?) social worker hadn't, after all, made the wrong decision to let the mother have her baby. (She is hoping to work with young offenders - not families - said maybe when she's older and knows a bit more about Life, the Universe and Everything.)

I'm very relieved (and proud!) that this hasn't put her off.

Missed this - totally forgot it was on. Everyone talking about it though.

Just sent of my UCAS form for a place on the Social Work degree in Cornwall for next sept - scary stuff.

That poor baby

joash, you are doing it too? Will you be DD2's penfriend/mentor? (She is applying fairly locally - Lancs and Leeds - would be great for her to have some moral support from someone else going through it!)

JanH - Yeah no problem whatsoever. Be nice to see a younger viewpoint as well.

Will start a new thread as soon as I hear one way or the other. Don't know what your daughter does, but might help her application if she has some experience of working with some sort of community based group (voluntary or whatever).

joash - mind me being nosy and asking where your doing your degree? Just unusual to hear of MN'ers in Cornwall!!!

Not actually in Cornwall yet. DH planning to buy a Hotel next year and after careful consideration, I have decided that there's no way I'm working with him - gonna stay a joint owner, with plenty of say, but he's gonna manage it.

I've applied to Plymouth University for the course which is actually delivered in Camborne. Had plenty of conversations with the woman who delivers and got my fingers (as well as everything else) crossed that I get a place.

atm she is working in a care home with elderly people - she left school after A levels in June 03, and will be doing an NVQ before next summer, we hope. But she saw one of her 6th form tutors today and he thinks she should be accepted OK (she had good grades in her A levels, including Sociology and Psychology.)

Thanks, joash - will talk to her and then CAT you!

Brilliant - she should definately have a better chance than people who apply without any experience.

Wow - sounds good joash, hope you do get a place - if its Pool College, then its the same place I did my A-levels!!! Good luck!!

Thanks Wobblyknicks. BTW - love the name.

So: if you were a social worker, what would be your recommendation about whether the baby should stay with the mother or not? (we shall see in the next episode, presumably) I would say 'no', but have surprised myself with that decision.

Extraordinary how the grandmothers are so very unco-operative: the grandmother of the poor dead baby blaming social services for allowing her own daughter to take the baby home, the complete lack of co-operation from the heroine users Mum....

Blu - I've also been shocked at how "illiberal" that girl and her mother made me feel.

I think it was seeing her lie to the SW: she had clearly been using far more than she admitted, and was 'working' the system - leaving 24 hours before she might be tested etc. So I couldn't see her being any more responsible - or able to control her habit - once the baby was home.

It seemed mad to put her in a flat on her own: At least if she stayed with her (awful) mother, the mother could have looked out for the baby- she got the flat because she was pregnant - but the fact that she would be living alone would seem to suggest that the baby should be put in care....so wouldn't have the same justification for the flat! not exactly joined up!

Heroin addicted baby was still with mum in the programme last night, and both were now living with the grandma, which was prob a good thing. The mum seemed to be just good enough - still drinking heavily, and not clear if she was still using heroin, smoking around the baby but she did appear to love the baby and want to be a good mum to her. Baby looked healthy and happy, clean and well-dressed, so maybe things will work out ok in the long term. Maybe.