Age 14 son. Self harming by cutting and 3 hospital stays for overdose. Refuses to attend school most days and when he does go he gets sent home for bad behaviour. Refuses to engage with mental health services however has previously engaged with the following :
Worker 1 (childrens services) - left her job after two weeks to move to another area
Worker 2(Childrens services)- was 7 months pregnant so saw twice before maternity leave
Worker 3 (Childrens Services)- worked well for 4 weeks however put in safety plan after he ran away - this didn’t say anything I wouldn’t do however became angry with this worker and at next meeting refused to talk- email the following day to say they were closing his case as he was refusing to engage
Worker 4 - (Social Worker)- saw once
Worker 5-(Social Worker) - seen 3 times and now talking about step down meeting
Has spent less then 50% of time in school this academic year mostly sent home and suspended for swearing at teacher and refusing to follow instruction, other times has just refused to go to school. Spoken to GP - advised he downloads apps to help his mental health - he did but deleted within a week.
Off school again this week as they don’t think they can keep him safe - they had tried to send him home before the holidays but he had stated if he went home he would harm self.
Beginning to think there is only 2 options left- I allow him to do whatever he wants and do nothing and hope he doesn’t end up dead or in prison and the other option is to change everything completely and permanently
Can’t see a way out of changing the situation and his behaviour is affecting his sibling.
Seems ridiculous that adults can be sectioned and forced treatment yet a 14year old is asked if he will speak to Mental Health and is allowed to say No but continues with risky behaviours
