Help and advice please

[siclews]

Our daughters school had made lot's of referrals to CAMHS due to her threatening to kill herself, after phone conversations with us where we inform them there are none of these issues at home they decided there was no issue and therefore no reason for them to see our daughter. The school then referred the case to social services claiming we were unwilling for CAMHS involvement which we have never been. Our daughter has Asperger's Syndrome and low self esteem due to bullying issues in school which is a diagnosis from the Pediatrician and a CAMHS professional saying there were no mental health concerns other than the school issues.

The social worker we have been assigned gives us the impression that she seems to think she knows our daughter better than we do and won't listen when we tell her things relating to our daughters condition. If we ask her a question she doesn't like she avoids answering it, for example at her last visit we asked why if this process is regarding our daughters mental health does she need to see our son in school? Her reply was "Good question" then changed the subject.

During a risk assessment meeting we were told that social services would not request access to my medical records, yet during her last visit we were told a request had been made due to a Section 47 inquiry which we had no idea was taking place and has now been closed. Are they supposed to inform us of the section 47 and can I refuse them access to my medical records?

Is there any way to make them listen when we tell them we don't have any issues with our daughter at home and the suggestions they make are not suitable not only for our daughter but any one who has Asperger's?

During the first visit it was mentioned that our daughter had a straightened paper clip in her mouth which according to the social worker means she has a plan to end her life. During another visit the social worker said they were refereeing our daughter to learn the meaning of certain words, when I said that's not what she needs her problem is with body language and she can't understand tone of voice or things like sarcasm, the social worker was saying that I'm probably right it was all I could do not to scream I know I'm right I go through the same thing because I also have Asperger's!

We would like social services to leave us be, to understand that if there were concerns about our daughters wellbeing at home we would be the first to take her to the GP and finally to make them and the school deal with the issues she has at school.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear siclews

Welcome to the Family Rights Group Parents’ Discussion Forum.

My name is Suzie and I am an Adviser at Family Rights Group.

From your post it appears that you are having a frustrating time dealing with Children Services and trying to get to correct help and support for your daughter. I am sorry that you are finding the situation so difficult.

You should understand that once Children Services receive a referral as they have from your daughter’s school, they have a duty to follow up on that referral in order to ensure that the child concerned is not a risk of harm and living in a safe environment.

In your posts you say that the school made several referrals to CAMHS which suggests that they had real concerns about your daughter’s well being. It is a little worrying that CAMHS decided, without meeting your daughter, not to offer any services to her. If your daughter is having problems at school to the extent that she wishes to harm herself I think it would have been important for them to carry out at the very least an initial assessment.

Regarding your comments as to how you can get (them) Children Services to listen to you regarding your daughter’s needs, I think it might be helpful for you to put your concerns in writing to Children Services. Also, you could ask the doctor or consultant who diagnosed your daughter’s condition to write to Children Services explaining her needs. You could also consider contacting the National Autistic Society who may be able to assist you to put your points across to the social worker and or comment on your daughter's specific needs.

If it is the case that S.47 enquiries are to be undertaken, then the social worker should inform you of the concerns they have and the procedures which will be carried out. I have included herefor your information a copy of our advice sheet relating to child protection proceedings. I suggest that you cooperate with Children Services whilst these enquiries are being carried out. The enquiries should take 45 days and you will be provided with a copy of the Report.

The purpose of the enquiries is to assess whether your children have suffered harm or at risk of suffering significant harm in the future. A recommendation for CIN or Child Protection may be made which could lead to an initial Child Protection Conference being convened.

Whilst I understand your frustration and your wish for Children Services to leave you alone, this is unlikely to happen until they have completed there enquiries. Regarding your daughter’s school, if there are issues at school, have you tried meeting with the school to see how any difficulties there can be addressed. A copy of our advice sheetrelating to family support is included here for your information.

I hope you find this information helpful but do please telephone our advice line if you wish to speak to an Adviser. The advice line is on 0808 801 0366 and is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Best wishes,

Suzie