FREE HELP TO ALL MSE'ers

Spikey_2

Hi.

I'm a Social Worker/Counsellor and I love this site.

I thought to go along with the MoneySaving theme; I would offer some free help on here. I've discussed it with Martin and decided to give it a go.

The idea is this - send me a PM and I will then post your PM (anonymously) and the answer in this thread, so it'll be a rolling questions and answer session. I guarantee total confidentiality but please be aware that certain disclosures cannot remain confidential.

If this takes off then I may be able to give direct help outside of this board.

I qualified in December 1994 and my main specialty is in the field of Children & Families. I am currently registering with the GSCC (General Social Care Council) and you will be able to check my details very soon.

This I feel is just my way of giving back to all MSE'ers and Guests.


(Martins asked me to point out that the site takes no responsibility for the info given, and you follow any info at your own risk).

I hope I will be able to help.



Spikey.

tiff

Well done Spikey, go for it!

Spikey_2

Thank you very much Tiff and a big THANK YOU to Martin for all his help with this.

I am also looking at feedback as to whether this is a good idea and any and all sugestions are welcomed.

Spikey

sunflower_2

this is brilliant !!!!

now where is that PM button....

Quackers

I too think it's a great idea & its fantastic that you are sharing your experience/advice with us.

Just my opinion but although some people will appreciate the 'anonymous' side of things others may be wary of sending you a pm if they are unsure of your qualifications until they are able to check them first. I also reckon that it'll be down to a trust thing like anything and once people see your advice they will grow to trust your opinions/knowledge/advice etc. Watch out - when people see how good you are you'll be bombarded

Spikey_2

Quackers wrote:

I too think it's a great idea & its fantastic that you are sharing your experience/advice with us.

Just my opinion but although some people will appreciate the 'anonymous' side of things others may be wary of sending you a pm if they are unsure of your qualifications until they are able to check them first. I also reckon that it'll be down to a trust thing like anything and once people see your advice they will grow to trust your opinions/knowledge/advice etc. Watch out - when people see how good you are you'll be bombarded

I fully understand and thank you for the reply Quackers. The GSCC is not up and running at the moment but If people need to check me out then PM me and I will let them have my works number where they can check that I am a Social Worker, employed full time for a Local Authority Childcare Team.

I hope I am bombarded as I know there are people out there who needs help and If I can then I will.

Spikey

Spikey_2

Just to let MSE'ers know of a legal change that took place recently.

In the past the women got parental responsibility immediately at birth but the father would only get it if at the time of the birth they were married.

This has now changed whereby unmarried fathers can get 'Parental Responsibility' if after the child is born he along with the mother (jointly) goes to register the birth.

Hope this makes sense.

Spikey

Edinburghlass_2

Is this legal change applicable in Scotland as well as England and Wales?

Spikey_2

edinburghlass wrote:

Is this legal change applicable in Scotland as well as England and Wales?

I am not too sure about Scotland but I will check it out tomorrow and let you know if that is ok? But I think that this change has still not happened in Scotland.

Spikey

Spikey_2

Spikey wrote:

Just to let MSE'ers know of a legal change that took place recently.

In the past the women got parental responsibility immediately at birth but the father would only get it if at the time of the birth they were married.

This has now changed whereby unmarried fathers can get 'Parental Responsibility' if after the child is born he along with the mother (jointly) goes to register the birth.

Hope this makes sense.

Spikey

How to obtain Parental Responsibility

The father can obtain PR by:-

• Registering the birth together, with the mother (only applies to births registered after 1 December 2003);
• Parental Responsibility Agreement. This is a legal document which the mother must sign. It must be witnessed and filed with the Principal Registry (0207 947 6936);
• Parental Responsibility Order (PRO). The father can apply to the court for an order if the mother refuses to make a PR agreement;
• Residence Order. This confers Parental Responsibility automatically;
• Marriage to the child's mother.

Hope this helps..

Spikey

Savvy_Sue

Spikey this does seem like a great idea, just be aware in your responses - and your work! - that you are only ever going to get one side of the story at a time.

There was recently a series on BBC West called "Someone to Watch Over Me", which was basically 'fly on the wall' following children's social workers. I was full of admiration for them: there are times when it is a ghastly and difficult job, with the families involved often very suspicious and mistrustful, but on the whole they handled themselves and the situations they faced brilliantly.

But through work I've sometimes seen and heard the family's perspective, and you would not know you were dealing with the same professionals ...

All the best!