advice on midwife referral.

[twilight1107]

Hi,

Previous had my children removed. Done work, had positive assessments to be able to keep my baby with new partner in 2021.
Last year I gave birth, midwife did refer when I was 12 weeks, they done there checks, then signed off, the letter did state that they are mindful of more children being born.

I’m pregnant again, last one, as my partner wants a 3rd.
I am worried because of what the last discharge letter said, also our 3 n half year old has been referred by health vid for speech delay, speech is getting better.

Can social worker after referral use the speech delay to open up assessments? And given what the letter said that mindful of more children, could this spark more assessment? Literally last time, a social worker came out few times, then signed off.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear twilight1107

Welcome back to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie and I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser.

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy. And for successfully caring for your two children, with your current partner, having previously had children removed from your care.

You worked positively with children’s services during your last two pregnancies and while children’s services assessed your children’s needs, they were satisfied that you were able to safely care for the children and closed the case. You made and sustained the changes that you needed to.

You are wondering what will happen now. You highlight that there was a comment noted when children’s services closed the case of your youngest child that they ‘are mindful of more children being born.’ It is not clear exactly what they meant by that, but it may be that while there were no concerns about your ability to care for your two young children, the birth of another child may be an added stress or that you and your partner might need more support. It is unfortunate that the social worker did not word this more clearly.

You are also worried about whether the fact that your three-and-a-half-year-old has been referred for speech therapy may be a further reason for children’s services to assess. You are clearly engaging with your health visitor and say that your child’s speech is improving so this on its own would not usually trigger an assessment.

However, as you have children who are not in your care, had assessments in relation to your two youngest children while you were pregnant and as there is the comment noted in your most recent assessment, your midwife or GP or health visitor may refer to children’s services again this time for them to consider a pre-birth assessment. Another option is for you to contact children’s services to let them know about your pregnancy and ask if they would want to do a pre-birth assessment, or a child in need assessment or offer early help.

You have clearly worked very well with professionals when you were pregnant with your two youngest children and have successfully continued to care for them so if children’s services decided to offer another assessment you and your partner would be able to engage well again. If there is any additional support that you may need then it is a good idea to try to arrange this.

Please see this advice for parents to be which explains more thoroughly the processes involved and sets out some practical advice for expectant parents who have had previous children’s services’ involvement. I hope that you will find this helpful.

If you need any further advice, please post back, or contact the advice service via one of the options here.

You may also be interested in the services offered by Family Line as they can offer emotional support to parents who are worried or struggling and can offer befriending too.
Please see their contact details here if you are interested.

Best wishes

Suzie