DCYPS myth-buster
Asking for help is a sign of weakness
All families find it tough at some point. Bringing up a child with a disability or complex needs is extra tough. It’s ok to ask for help, and it’s better to ask for it earlier rather than later.
If I ask for help, my child will automatically be on a child protection plan/be taken off me
We are clear that other than in exceptional circumstances, children are better off brought up in their birth families. Our primary aim is always to help families thrive together.
Only DCYPS knows about disabled children
Early help practitioners and locality social workers are highly skilled in working with children, young people and families to understand and meet need.
Sensory-seeking behaviours will be interpreted as indicators of child abuse
Our practitioners know that such behaviours can arise for various reasons. They will be curious about the causes and try to understand them so that they can help families respond positively.
There is a child disability needs assessment
Children’s social care services’ operating procedures are drawn from government guidance which sets out a single assessment framework (often called the assessment triangle). See the additional support for families section and appendix one. This provides scope for social workers to assess with families the social care needs arising from disability or complex needs.
Only CAMHS deals with behaviour challenges
While CAMHS practitioners undoubtedly have expertise in helping others understand and respond to very challenging behaviour, it is also is a core part of the work of our early help practitioners and social workers.