Advice please!

[Autism-Mama91]

Currently awaiting a conference with social services etc. As part of all of this I was asked if my social worker could interview my children. Said social worker has no concerns over my children and neither do school by the way. I agreed for them to speak with my children as we have nothing to hide. My only ask was that they have one of the schools safeguarding teachers in with them as 3 out of my 4 children are autistic and this whole thing has caused them great distress. The youngest one is non verbal and doesn't speak at all. They insisted they still needed to speak to him so I agreed. Yesterday my children came out of school in floods of tears and had huge melt downs as they were left alone with this social worker (a total stranger to them) and asked lots of questions. My question is can they do this? I was told an adult they knew would be there? I'm now having to deal with the repercussions of it all. My youngest NEEDS his routine and this was disturbed causing him to not sleep properly and non stop crying. My eldest is convinced social services are going to take his daddy away and doesn't want to leave our sides. I've reassured all of them but they are so upset. Social services are meant to protect children and look out for their welfare but my children have been thought of at all in this whole process. I'm currently seeking help for them long term. But this whole thing has majorly affected them all and yesterday was just the icing on the cake. Someone please tell me it gets better.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Autism-Mama91

Thank you for your post and welcome to the parents’ discussion forum.

My name is Suzie online adviser at Family Rights Group.
I see from your post that you have children’s services involvement with your family, and you are awaiting a conference. I am not sure which conference but assume this is an initial child protection conference. If there are safeguarding concerns in respect of your children and the social worker is doing child protection enquiries, it is usual to speak to the children. From your post you say that you agreed to the children being seen but requested an adult with whom they are familiar to be with them when the social worker spoke with them.

Unfortunately, the social worker despite agreeing to your request went ahead and saw your children alone which has caused them to be disturbed and upset. I think you should bring your concerns to the social worker and ask her to explain why she did not take on board your wishes regarding the children and how it has impacted them adversely. You could also ask for a meeting with the social worker’s team manager to talk about the issues and how your children have been affected.

I do not know the reasons for children’s services involvement with your family so not in a position to say the welfare of your children not being considered. Social workers are able to see children alone, but it may be because of your children’s particular needs it could have been handled differently. Was that the first time the children met with the social worker, if it has got to the point of a conference, I would imagine the social worker would have had an initial meeting if or when you were contacted about the referral and their involvement.

Please read information here about children protection . You may also find it helpful to look at one of our guides working with social workers'. ‘

I hope you will find this information helpful and should you wish to speak to an adviser, please telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

Best wishes

Suzie