Navigating the System

An Empowerment Course for Parents and Birth Workers

Welcome to "Navigating the System," a meticulously designed course tailored for parents, expecting mothers, and birth workers. In the intricate maze of healthcare, social services, and legal systems, it's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed or even side-lined. This course is born from the understanding that knowledge is power, and clarity can be the beacon in what often seems like uncharted territory.

Please click on the resource at the bottom of the page to download your handbook.

In this workshop we will cover:

What do social services do?An introduction to the role and functions of social services, including their overarching mission, the variety of services they offer, and their importance in the community.

What do social services do in the maternity sector?Delve into the specific actions and responsibilities of social services within maternity care. This includes support for expectant mothers, safeguarding children, and promoting the wellbeing of both mother and child.

Why are referrals made?Understanding the reasons behind referrals to social services, including the identification of potential risks, the need for specialised support, or other factors that warrant intervention.

Birth choices and referrals.Explore how a mother’s birth choices can lead to referrals, the considerations taken into account, and how social services handle such situations.

How is mental capacity decided?An exploration of the criteria and processes used to determine an individual's mental capacity, especially in the context of making decisions about their own or their child's wellbeing.

Previous referrals.A look into the significance of past referrals on current assessments, and how social services use historical data in their evaluations.

Retraumatised - Limitations to social services and the ‘care’ they provide.Discussing the potential challenges and limitations of social services, especially when individuals have had negative or traumatic experiences with the system in the past.

How The Human Rights Act can protect birth choices.Understanding the legal framework of the Human Rights Act and how it can be invoked to protect the rights of mothers in making birth choices.

The NHS Constitution.An overview of the guiding principles and commitments of the National Health Service (NHS) and how they relate to maternity care and social services.

Take the Socratic approach.Encouraging critical thinking and open dialogue through the Socratic method, and how this can be beneficial in navigating the complex landscape of social services.

Concealment of a pregnancy.Delving into the reasons some women might choose to conceal a pregnancy, the potential risks involved, and how social services approach such scenarios.

Safeguarding thresholds.A deep dive into the criteria that determine when safeguarding measures are required and the various levels of intervention.

Care orders.Understanding the legal instrument that allows authorities to take children into care, the reasons behind such decisions, and the processes involved.

Child in need.Exploring the definition of a "child in need," the rights and protections they are entitled to, and the services available to them.

Child at risk.Identifying what qualifies a child as being "at risk," the signs to look for, and the interventions that can be put in place.

Child protection plan.A comprehensive look at the strategies and interventions designed to safeguard children deemed to be at risk of harm.

Rights to information.Understanding an individual's legal right to access information held about them by social services and other agencies.

Birth notifications.Exploring the process and significance of notifying relevant authorities about a birth, especially in scenarios where there may be concerns about the child's welfare.

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