I recently watched the programme about the family trying to save their 4th child from being taken into care. (Which thankfully they managed) They claimed that at the meeting with social services they were not listened to, from my experience that is very true as parents you are overwhelmed by the experts sitting round the table, who firmly believe you should not challenge them as they know best. It is amazing to think they only need a concern and it sets the unstoppable machine in motion which never seems to question their own inevitable result that is to take the children.

My biggest area of concern is the untenable position of the doctors involved with these children If they go against the concern of the Social Services they risk litigation should,

They be wrong.

 

If as most seem to do they take the safe option and go with the Social Services concern with out definitive diagnosis,

Then the families are put through hell for long periods of time, and why because the original concern added to by a doctor who may still not have a diagnosis means the children will almost certainly be put on risk at which time

The machine is almost unstoppable.

 

The BMA completely reject the Idea of Conflict of interest in this event, and to me this is fundamentally flawed.

In a case I know of The Social services pressurised the Consultant to withdraw his opinion and certificate he issued

 

So they would have no opposition and achieve their goal of taking three children into care. This case proceeded for two years on the basis of the less senior Doctors opinion.

 

Thank goodness the consultant stood firm and gave support to the family in so doing. Surely their must be an independent Medical consultant appointed to examine the child before any contact is made twith him by the Social services so at least families have a slender chance of

Fair play in fighting what are called concerns but in this steam roller arrangemt quickly become fact to parties except the parents.

 

Thank you and

 

Best regards 

D