Help please on child in need parenting/assessment

[MY123]

Brief outline.ss got involved due to me having intrusive thoughts after baby was born.At the beginning of my single assesment the sw said one of the possible outcomes could be parenting assessment.
Assessment is complete now and it's child in need plan.I'm waiting for my new sw.
My question is there is no mention of a parenting assesment on the plan .but she did write in the end of the assesment for 'further assesment and monitoring'.
does this mean they will still make me do a parenting assesment? She has wrote that I am able to meet his basic care needs.I am worrying in case the new sw will make me do the parenting assesment ??I am also worrying that the new sw could take a different view or opinon and try removing my baby.is this likely??or am I worrying for nothing?please help!!
Also what does she mean by 'further assessment'?
Thanks

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear My123,

Welcome to the Parents Forum. I am sorry for the late response to your questions.

You say that there has been an assessment by children services and they have offered you a child in need plan for “further assessment and monitoring.” But the plan itself does not offer a parenting assessment. Here is information about child in need assessments and plans.

The plans seem vague but that can be normal. As your case is being handed over to another social worker, it will be up to the new social worker to consider what, if any, further assessments are needed. Even then, you do not have to accept the support or assessments that are offered. Child in need is with your consent.
A child in need plan is about supporting a family not removing children.

Are you getting the support you need for your mental health? If so, your GP or mental health worker can send reports to children services about your mental health.
The best thing to do is ask the social worker to clarify the situation about the assessments. It is a good idea to be discuss any concerns you have with the social worker so she can explain anything to you. If her involvement is causing you stress, you could ask that you are supported by a team around the child or early help type plan instead of having an allocated social worker.

Do you have someone who can support you in the meeting? Sometimes, if a parent finds it difficult to attend meetings, they can ask for the support of an advocate. Here is information about advocacy. .

You are worried your baby will be removed from you.

There is nothing in your post to suggest your baby will be removed from you.
For children services to take such action, they would need either your consent or would have to prove to the court that your baby has suffered or likely to suffer significant harm. As part of the court process the local authority would need to show what support had been offered to you.
You and dad would be entitled to a legally aided solicitor to represent you in court.
Removal of a baby from a parent is a last resort. Other options would need to be considered first. For example, such as you and baby being supervised by family or in a mother and baby placement.
If a child was removed, then s/he would be placed first with another parent or family or friend. A parent would continue to have contact.
Do you or dad have family or friends to support you?
As the assessment only says child in need-so is about support and no mention of removal, I am sure they are not thinking about removing your baby.
Have a look at our introduction to children services advice sheet that sets out the different levels of intervention by children services.
This will hopefully re-assure you.

I hope I have re assured you and that you can enjoy your caring for your baby without worrying too much.

If you want to discuss further, please call our private and confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366 or post again.

Best wishes,
Suzie

[MY123]

Dear My123,

Welcome to the Parents Forum. I am sorry for the late response to your questions.

You say that there has been an assessment by children services and they have offered you a child in need plan for “further assessment and monitoring.” But the plan itself does not offer a parenting assessment. Here is information about child in need assessments and plans.

The plans seem vague but that can be normal. As your case is being handed over to another social worker, it will be up to the new social worker to consider what, if any, further assessments are needed. Even then, you do not have to accept the support or assessments that are offered. Child in need is with your consent.
A child in need plan is about supporting a family not removing children.

Are you getting the support you need for your mental health? If so, your GP or mental health worker can send reports to children services about your mental health.
The best thing to do is ask the social worker to clarify the situation about the assessments. It is a good idea to be discuss any concerns you have with the social worker so she can explain anything to you. If her involvement is causing you stress, you could ask that you are supported by a team around the child or early help type plan instead of having an allocated social worker.

Do you have someone who can support you in the meeting? Sometimes, if a parent finds it difficult to attend meetings, they can ask for the support of an advocate. Here is information about advocacy. .

You are worried your baby will be removed from you.

There is nothing in your post to suggest your baby will be removed from you.
For children services to take such action, they would need either your consent or would have to prove to the court that your baby has suffered or likely to suffer significant harm. As part of the court process the local authority would need to show what support had been offered to you.
You and dad would be entitled to a legally aided solicitor to represent you in court.
Removal of a baby from a parent is a last resort. Other options would need to be considered first. For example, such as you and baby being supervised by family or in a mother and baby placement.
If a child was removed, then s/he would be placed first with another parent or family or friend. A parent would continue to have contact.
Do you or dad have family or friends to support you?
As the assessment only says child in need-so is about support and no mention of removal, I am sure they are not thinking about removing your baby.
Have a look at our introduction to children services advice sheet that sets out the different levels of intervention by children services.
This will hopefully re-assure you.

I hope I have re assured you and that you can enjoy your caring for your baby without worrying too much.

If you want to discuss further, please call our private and confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366 or post again.

Best wishes,
Suzie

Thank you for your reply,I am worried because I have read a lot of horror stories online about babies being taken .My partner also has mental health issues but is on medication and working.
there was one incident of self harm from me years ago which I am guessing they see as a slight risk which is why I'm worrying if they will try to take the baby .is it possible for them to go to court from a child in need plan ?I am terrified and don't want them involved anymore.at first it was a section 47 assesment which is now child in need plan.i am worried they will think the baby will be better off adopted.
The only thing in the cin plan is to have a family conference. I don't even want to do that as we know what support we have which is a lot , and yes I'm with mental health workers who actually want to discharge me as I am fine now.also they say he is on the plan because he is young and vulnerable ,but they aren't telling me how long it will go on for or when the plan will end.what is your advice regarding this and the length of the plan?is it very unlikely they will try applying to court then ?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear My123,

Thank you for clarifying the situation. From what you have said, there is nothing to indicate that children services are thinking of taking court proceedings.

I can see that there was a section 47-child protection investigation but that quickly went down to a child in need plan. This means that children services were satisfied that your baby was not at risk of suffering significant harm.

A child in need plan is with your consent. You could ask the social worker whether children’s services would be worried if you did not agree to engage anymore.
Let the social worker know that you do not think you will benefit from a family group conference (which is also with your consent). Remind her of any safety plan or support that you have.
Or discuss your misgivings with the family group conference coordinator and let that person know you do not think you need an family group conference.

I hope this helps but please post back if you need further advice.

Best wishes,

Suzie