Another poor child killed at the hands of his parent and lover

In the case of Lily-Mai the mother was suffering severe post-natal depression. I saw a programme about this and it was shocking how deeply affected some women were. They were in such a dark place and freely admitted they could go on to kill their baby if they weren't helped. There was a clinic where the women and their babies were admitted until they felt safe to go home. They received treatment of course. If there were more such clinics and professional help for women in this state then babies and families could be saved.

Chestnut, in the 80’s, our area patch sw team supported a Family with a mum who had postpartum psychosis after her babies were born. Midwives and health visitors, plus the same experienced sw were involved. Dad was helped to recognise when he needed to call us out. The social worker had a trusting relationship with them. It was always possible to persuade mum into the hospital ward that specialised in ppd. I look back on those as golden days with community patch teams in police, social work and health services.
We also had resources to support vulnerable families. The dad in this family needed practical support. The parents families of origin lived nearby but as is often the case, their ability to offer consistent support was limited.

Back in the 1980s my mother became very angry and upset when she read about a 16 month old baby in Cardiff who was beaten to death by her brutal father. Without putting the horrible details the baby was admitted to hospital many times with serious injuries but always returned to the parents, so as usual warning signs were ignored. So I can't really see the 1980s as golden days, because the same things were happening then as now.

I’m not suggesting they weren’t happening/. I’m talking about local systems that could be effective.

I should have not bothered. It’s a waste of time trying to discuss the complexity of safeguarding,

Very true Iam, no point at all. It’s easier just to blame social workers whatever the circumstances. If it makes people feel better then I suppose we serve some purpose.

Near us there used to be a place for new mothers who were experiencing difficulties to go with their babies for some r and r and general support. It was run by nuns. Of course it got shut down and now there is nothing available. I came across many mums who had been there, usually for a spell of 2-3 weeks, and they really loved the help in establishing feeding,routines etc. We are too ‘woke’ now to accept this sort of help, it seems.

Not too "woke" - the services are not there - funding was cut.

There were many of these ‘Mother and Baby ‘ homes across the UK, run by various organisations. Luckygirl is right, the funding was cut, it’s that simple.

There are ‘parent and child’ foster placements but these are in short supply and it’s a very specialised form of fostering.

nightowl

Very true Iam, no point at all. It’s easier just to blame social workers whatever the circumstances. If it makes people feel better then I suppose we serve some purpose.

If you're referring to the baby from the 1980s I never mentioned social workers. It was the hospital who returned the baby to the parents three times despite twice being admitted unconscious with clear evidence of being shaken, the third time with eyes not focusing and a haemorrhage on one side of the brain. The fourth time admitted unconscious again, bruised with fracture of the skull and bronchial pneumonia. She died the next morning. Do you think there should be any excuse for returning the child to her parents three times?

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes's father has had his sentence increased by three years. That's something I suppose.

Kate1949

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes's father has had his sentence increased by three years. That's something I suppose.

Is this recent Kate as I haven’t heard about it?

Today's news tickingbird. He appealed his sentence and was given an extra three years for his cheek. Good.

I don't know how these pieces of excrement have the cheek to appeal.

I was thinking the same MissA

I find it hard to understand how this can happen. Hitting a child in a moment of anger is one thing but, all those who have been in the news recently have been subjected to prolonged abuse. It's amazing that the parents are able to get away with it for so long.

They usually have the wherewithal to ensure they cover up well.

Kate1949

Today's news tickingbird. He appealed his sentence and was given an extra three years for his cheek. Good.

He appealed?? Unbelievable and so pleased the judges showed what they thought of his grubby appeal. RIP Arthur.

Yes. The cheeky b*****d.

Kate1949

Yes. The cheeky b*****d.

Agreed, still he did get extra time for his trouble.