Yesterday Social Services came to our home
Acting upon an anonymous referral
Via NSPCC
About the emotional wellbeing of our children
Social Services called on Monday
To tell us that they would visit on Tuesday
They then arranged to come back 8 days later
To speak with our children
Later yesterday afternoon
Social Services called to say they would return the next day
Today
To see the children
I was incredibly grateful that this was not going to be hanging over us for a week
Yesterday when Social Services talked to me
I had to sign a form giving my consent for different people to be contacted
I emailed the people on the list to let them know to expect a call
I wanted to get out in front of the social services team
To show that we have nothing to hide
This morning I had a lengthy chat with my midwife
Who was on the list to be called
She was incredibly supportive and kind
As have all people been
Involved in the investigation
So why were we investigated?
First I will tell you the facts
And give you an idea of the timeline of events
Then in a later post
When I feel more recovered from the ordeal of the last three days
I will respond
At 10.52am on the 1st of March 2017
I wrote this post on my blog
https://www.edspire.co.uk/year_2017/03/01/the-monster-raises-her-ugly-head/
At 1.34pm on the same day
The referrer contacted NSPCC via their Online Reporting Form
Raising concerns for three children and one unborn child
In relation to emotional abuse
On the 6th March
The online form was allocated to a member of staff at NSPCC
Original advice was to take no further action
But because our children are home schooled
And the referrer had provided my full name and the general area we live in
The NSPCC forwarded the referral to Kent Children’s Services
Raising concerns about our children
In relation to emotional abuse due to ‘mother’s possible mental health difficulties’
The referral also states
‘The children are said to be home schooled
Which suggests that they are isolated
And therefore it is recognised that their vulnerabilities
May be significantly increased’
Social Services received the emailed referral on the 9th March
They first tried to reach me on 16th March
Making actual contact on 20th March
And coming to our house on 21st and 22nd March
To open and close their investigation into our family
It would seem from the facts
That the referral was made by someone
Who does not know us
Or live near us
Someone who has read my blog
And panicked about our children
I wonder if perhaps they have not taken the time
To read the whole of our story
And to try to understand our life
Before jumping to very wrong conclusions
I am very grateful to Social Services for reassuring us today
That they have no concerns at all about our family
And I am so relieved to know that the case is now closed
I am SO incredibly proud of my children
Who are always wonderful
But today they were just AMAZING
I am a very proud mummy and incredibly blessed to have a beautiful family
It is over
Thank you so much to everyone for your messages of support
Thank you thank you thank you with all my heart x
So pleased sense was seen and they could see what we all see, apart from one unbelievable person. Glad it’s over quickly, though of course there will be another scar left behind. Hope the support carries you through, as always xx
I’m so pleased for you and your family. You ARE a good Mommy and love your five with all your heart.
Blessings!
When you shared the blog post about the terrible day you had I couldn’t help how brace you were to be open about times like that. There are bound to be days where it’s all simply too much and you won’t cope well, I have those days and I’m not dealing with the loss of a child. What shone through from the post was how supportive your children were and I felt it was clear that they had been emotionally supported to such an extent that they could cope. In an ideal world they wouldn’t need to, but in an ideal world they wouldn’t be grieving for the loss of their darling sister either. What makes me so cross about this situation is that the person who reports you clearly has no idea what social services see every day, the abuse, the neglect, the lack of love so many children face. It’s clear your children are facing none of that, instead they are part of a loving family getting through the hardest possible things, together and with love. Much love to you Jenny Cx
Thank Goodness common sense prevailed!
I think only a person who has not followed your journey, who has not followed all you do with and for the kids would take that Monster story on face value. You give yourself a really hard time. What you call monster raising its head, lots of other parents call parenting and do a lot worse… sadly.
I wish the person who made the anonymous tip would have to pay for the waste of the very limited resources of Social services.
I’m so glad this ordeal is over you, I still can’t believe someone would do that! I guess at least one thing positive is that the social workers in your area must be good as checked up following an enquiry…but I also think that it was such a waste of their time and resources too and could have been helping a family/children who were in genuine need!!!
I hope you are all well and you can stop worrying about it, was so shocked to see your post about this the other day, you do so much with your children and it is so clear to see that!! xx
So pleased that sense has prevailed and it’s all over for you and not hanging over you until next week.
It’s so sad that someone didn’t understand the context of your post and blog in general, where you write so openly and honestly about the good, the bad and the inbetween of your days. Please don’t ever stop writing in this way as it inspires so many o your readers.
I hope this horrid episode is now put to bed and you can have a restful weekend and begin once more to focus on these final weeks if your pregnancy.
xxx
I honestly couldn’t believe what i was reading when I read your last post. I’m pleased that it’s over for you all. Sending love x
Wonderful news Jennie xx