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Social Services Question
Comments
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In this case the family were already known to Social Services.
The neighbour was giving a 'heads up' to the Social Worker that things seem to be getting worse.
I would have expected that such a call would trigger a prompt monitoring visit so that the Social Worker could assess changes in the child herself.
I would not have expected the Social Worker to have needed to mention anything about a call from a neighbour. I would have expected the Social Worker to have realised that there could be massive implications for the reporting neighbour if confidentiality was not maintained.
[At the very least the neighbour should have been informed that her name would be used. But I DON'T think this can be right in this case. I can see that where initial concerns are raised there may be some need for indicating where these have come from; that is a different matter].
The Social Workjers on here have referred for a need for an 'open and transparent' relationship with the family concerned. The Social Services also need to think about maintaining their relationship with the rest of society. I don't have children myself. If I did I cannot guarantee that I would be prepared to put my own children at further risk from a drug-crazed violent neighbour by reporting the vulnerable child next door. I hope I would try to help somehow ... but how ?
So, in less emotive terms than those used by Meritaten, I agree with her completely.0 -
ty Tuesday Tenor - I didnt think I was using 'emotive' terms! just stating the facts as I know them. I personally, knew that Social Services will helpfully give the accused parent details of the person reporting (name, address and mobile phone number!), because my son and his partner had a visit from SS and this was the first thing she told them! thankfully this was a malicious call and the SS worker went away quite happy that the children were well loved and well cared for.
and we had the devils own job stopping my DIL from going over and punching the nasty cow who had reported them! and if that was the reaction of a normally laid back girl - what about those who arent?
for this reason if you report a child at risk to SS then give a false name and address and use a pay as you go mobile or a payphone (if you can find one)! don't let a child suffer though - even if you have to make repeated calls before they take action.
and dont forget if you think a child is being abused that very minute - then the police are on the end of 999 - a childs life may be at stake.0
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