Hi i was just wondering what peoples views were on having a social worker ive heard many mixed reviews some say theirs are a great help,others say they are completely useless.Its just im not sure if my son needs one i am a single parent and sometimes feel like the professionals that are supposed to be helping arent doing enough and i know its early days yet but i know my son is going to need help for the foreseable future.Because just looking at him you cannot see his disabilities until you try to interact with him or he starts rubbing his face along the floor,licking the bottom of his shoe or he doesnt understand what your saying or react to hurting himself and intentionally hurts himself.I just wanted to know if contacting social services child disability team would be of any use to my son.

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Mum of 2 lovely boysSometimes i cant tell them apart lol

I personally think you need to contact your local social services and ask to be assigned a social worker; there will be times in the future you will need services that can only be accessed b through a sw. I have had 3 different sw in the last 10 years and they have all be different-- the one I have now is excellent and very helpful. They have helped get respite, equipment and adaptions. For one of my children they have helped with schooling.

During a stay in hospital back at Easter, the ward sister asked if she could refer us to Social Services/Child Disability Team. I'm a single parent, 3 boys 17, 7 & 6. I get very little support from their dad & his family, my own family live over 200 miles away.
A lovely lady came out to see us, and after a very lengthy interview, and a large box of hankies, she agreed that we 'qualified'
I am now able to get respite care, Cain is being funded to attend a Special Needs Club 4 sessions a month & a summer holiday scheme, his younger brother has been referred to Young Carers & we are getting Activity Vouchers to enable the boys to attend clubs that I could not otherwise afford.
I have also with her support been to see a solicitor, to have a contact order drawn up. Hopefully this will prevent my ex doing the 'Oh i have plans, i'm busy, something's come up' speech we get every weekend
So for me having a Social Worker has been fantastic, things have never been better for us
Good Luck xx

ours as been fantastic we get respite for chloe and jack goes in the holidays and we have now a befriending person coming on monday

my social worker is great x id defo say get 1 u can always tell them that u dnt want theservices if u dnt like it xx