Previous CIN plan ,BPD,CPTSD,potential new baby

[JBP98]

In need of advice .

So basically I have had anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember.I now have a referral as an outpatient to se a psychiatrist because my GP has noticed symptoms of BPD or CPTSD.
To be honest it’s made the anxiety worse .I have missed a period as of this morning so will buy a test and take tomorrow ,if pregnant the baby will be very much wanted and loved .. I already have a 5 year old son .I’m now terrified that this referral to psychiatry may mean social services get involved if I am pregnant.If diagnosed with BPD or CPTSD .I’m also scared the social services would get involved with the pregnancy or with my son since yesterday I have read horror stories about social services taking babies /children away from parents who have /BPD or CPTSD (google and Facebook in that case was not helpful)

As I said earlier at age 14 (I’m now 25) I was diagnosed with depression and generalised anxiety disorder.The symptoms I had then are the same ones I have now so if I do Hhave BPD or PTSD I really don’t understand how I wasn’t diagnosed with it then .

Since the referall yesterday and this late/missed period I have googled if social services get involved with a pregnancy if the mum is diagnosed with BPD or Ptsd and if they get involved with other children you may already have .That google search has made the anxiety a lot worse to . .All I have seen is horror stories of social services using BPD o CPTSD as a reason to take children /babies away .I am worried that I diagnoses mean the psychiatrist,mental health nurse or even midwife(if pregnant )may refer to social services whether I’m pregnant or not and even if there are no other safeguarding concerns ( which there aren’t ).Just to add I’ve had no suicidal ideation or thoughts about self harm etc

Not only have I found that on google but then BPD and COTSD can increase the chance of getting post partum psychosis which honestly really scares me .I am aware that some people get sectioned in to MBU’s or psychiatric units which is honestly petrifying to me ..I have read so many horror stories of mums being sectioned with Ppp and either being away from the baby or being with the baby in a MBU but away from the other children and family home .My son has Autism and SEN needs so me being sectioned and away from the home would be extremely traumatic for me and him although of course my husband is a great dad and husband.I have seen so many horror stories social services getting involved with mums who have PPP even if the mum is home and not sectioned .

I should also add I had some really bad experiences around social services as a child .


My son had a CIN in need plan back in 2022 which lasted roughly 4 months ish and closed in June 2022.we have had no contact with social services since .The CIN was due to my sons SEN needs and some Home conditions that our landlord/housing association at the time were refusing to fix .we now live in a different property under a different housing association.The social worker was aware of my mental health but it was never part of CIN plan

My son is my everything and I can’t lose him ,if I’m pregnant the baby will also by my everything

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear JBP98

Thank you for your post, and welcome to the forum. I am an online adviser and will be responding to you today. I am sorry to hear of your situation, it must be a worry and concern for you.

You have a diagnosis of anxiety and depression and most recently your GP referred you to a psychiatrist for further exploration and support of your mental health wellbeing. You are unclear why the GP has decided to refer you now when you say your symptoms have not changed since you were fourteen years old.

You have a child aged five and are unsure whether you may be pregnant with a second. You are concerned that the referral to the psychiatrist may trigger children’s services involvement if you receive a diagnosis. Your concerns have been exacerbated by your searches on social media platforms and internet searches which have been negative in respect of children’s services involvement.

You had some involvement with children’s services as a child which was not positive, and your son was placed on a child in need plan (CIN) in 2022 for four months. This was linked to his additional needs and lack of response from your housing association to fix some repairs, not your mental health.

You are concerned that your child may be removed from your care and/or you get post partum psychosis and are placed into a parent and baby unit or psychiatric unit.

My first thought is to take a breath. From the information you have shared your anxiety has been triggered by the referral to psychiatry and your possible pregnancy and that your attempts to find out further information about the possible ‘next steps’ has taken you down a ‘rabbit hole’ of negativity regarding children’s services and other professional involvement.

I hope that when you attend your appointment with the psychiatrist, they can alleviate some of your fears and anxiety about your mental health issues. It would be a good idea to share your concerns with them.

If a referral is made to children’s services by professionals, good practice indicates that where it is safe to do so, they should inform you of the referral.

Please see HERE guidance from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. This explains how professionals should manage referrals to children’s services when they have concerns about a child’s welfare.

I have added further information HERE regarding the types of assessment children’s services may undertake depending on the family’s situation and circumstances.

I hope you find this information helpful. There are many different ways to contact Family Rights Group if you seek further advice in the future regarding children’s services :

• A free telephone advice line open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 3pm (excluding Bank Holidays) on 0808 801 0366
• Easy-to-follow online information. Features include an A-Z, FAQs, films, ‘top tips’ and legal advice sheets;
• Online forums where families can receive advice, discuss issues, and find support;
• A webchat service where you can message an adviser online, who will help you find information and advice to support you.

Best wishes, Suzie