0:00:02 > 0:00:08This programme contains some strong language.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13This programme contains scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19When my daughter was a week old,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22that's when I had to hand her over to social services.
0:00:28 > 0:00:34The lady came to get her and as I was leaving, I saw her coming in with the car seat,
0:00:34 > 0:00:38and I just wanted to run behind her and say, "Oh, can I come with you?"
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Hello, my dear. You OK?
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- There we go, that will warm you up a bit.- Thank you, Kate.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51It makes my day a lot when I see my daughter.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Hello. Yay!
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Mercy, mercy.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06Hey? No smiling? We can have a nice bath this morning.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Society in general
0:01:08 > 0:01:11do not want to know or accept that children suffer.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Oh, that's very good.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Every day in this office and in offices across the country,
0:01:17 > 0:01:22thousands of good decisions are made that protect thousands of children
0:01:22 > 0:01:26from harm, but it's completely invisible to the general public.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31Last year,
0:01:31 > 0:01:37social workers took nearly 10,000 children into care in England alone.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41When the risk is immediate, there's no choice.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45But often, it is a more difficult judgement.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50I want my baby back as a baby, Louise. I don't want her back when she's two.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54'But all the time, it's about risk assessing the household.'
0:01:54 > 0:02:00Is this child at risk? If so, who from? What from?
0:02:00 > 0:02:03And are we able to put in a safety plan
0:02:03 > 0:02:05or do we need to remove the child?
0:02:05 > 0:02:08People don't realise we're actually trying
0:02:08 > 0:02:11to save children's lives in some cases.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18For the past year, social workers in Bristol have been filmed
0:02:18 > 0:02:22dealing with these complex issues.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24When is it right to remove children?
0:02:24 > 0:02:28And when is it safe to let them go home?
0:02:30 > 0:02:32SCREAMING
0:02:32 > 0:02:35It's a little bit unconventional, but come on.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Sometimes I do feel like walking away because it is too much, it's just overwhelming.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41DISTANT SHOUTING
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Baby Mercedes is three months old.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02A court ordered her to be placed in temporary foster care,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05due to her mother's lifestyle.
0:03:05 > 0:03:11Louise sees her baby three times a week at a contact centre.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15But she is determined to get her daughter back permanently.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Lovely girl. Yes.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Just going to give you a little massage now.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25A little massage?
0:03:25 > 0:03:26Hello.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- Hello...- The contact sessions are supervised
0:03:30 > 0:03:34to assess Louise and ensure the safety of her baby.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39It didn't worry me, people in the room and that any more.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43I just be myself, how I would be with her if she was at home.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50- All right, I'll see you on Thursday, Louise, all right?- Yes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:56I just think some people deserve to have a chance
0:03:56 > 0:04:02at making a go of it before the decision is to have the child removed.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Bye-bye.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18The lady that sits in with me, Kate, she's nice, she's very nice.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23Obviously, there's a lot of people that want me to get my baby back, so,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27I suppose I just get settled at home, really.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I just want her back, you know?
0:04:30 > 0:04:33But yes, I'll get there.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Louise has a long history of drug abuse.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46She was six months pregnant when she met Wayne,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50who is currently on parole for drug-related offences.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Drugs have already cost Louise one child.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56My eldest was about 10 months old.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00That's the first time I tried heroin.
0:05:00 > 0:05:07And it wasn't long then till I had to ring and ask my mum if she could take my daughter.
0:05:07 > 0:05:13And I just thought, well, my daughter's safe there.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22All right then, yes? You look tired as well.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24We'll have some food, go home,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27just lie down and rest.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I was in a mad head space then,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34and that's when I started doing crack cocaine as well as heroin,
0:05:34 > 0:05:39and then injecting and living here, there and everywhere.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45Every day, as soon as my eyes were open,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48I'd be smoking, till I was literally dead on my feet.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52No, I'm saying how are you feeling that you're out for your birthday
0:05:52 > 0:05:57and you're in a relationship and they were going through things and stuff,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01but you're normally in prison, aren't you?
0:06:01 > 0:06:06'Heroine is a selfish, controlling drug.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07'You're not thinking.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11'You're pregnant. You can even see the bell is there.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17'But it's alien to you. You're in that, that place.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20'That horrible, dark place.'
0:06:22 > 0:06:26You're thinking, oh, well, there's a baby in there.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31But I'll still have another hit in half an hour.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Louise claims to have stopped using heroin and crack.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41But she'll also have to quit prescription methadone
0:06:41 > 0:06:42and attend a detox programme
0:06:42 > 0:06:46if she's to have any chance of getting her daughter back.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53(SINGS) # Hello, is it me you're looking for? #
0:06:56 > 0:07:00In an ideal world, it would be lovely, wouldn't it,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02to have everything ordered and managed,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06but that's not life then, is it?
0:07:06 > 0:07:10My job is a job of chaos, because you work with people's lives.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14You never know what's going to happen. I never take anything for granted.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18I never assume things, because all families are different.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23Because it's about survival and families need to survive.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Bye then. See you tomorrow.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29It's just about holding information and unpicking it.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31A bit like Poirot.
0:07:36 > 0:07:42Mercedes is a new case for social worker Louise.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Just one of 20 children she's responsible for.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49This one is actually in care proceedings,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53so all throughout the pregnancy, the mum was using drugs,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56right up until the birth, if I understand.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59So we assess mum
0:07:59 > 0:08:05to see if she's able to provide care for this baby in a long-term way.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13I'll bring her again in a minute. >
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Hiya, sorry I'm late.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16You all right?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Although Wayne isn't the baby's father,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21he and Louise want to be assessed as a couple.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26Me picking this up now where I have,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30I'm quite worried about where you are in your abstinence, really.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32I'm not trying to put any pressure on you,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36because from what you were like, it's amazing where you are now.
0:08:36 > 0:08:42- Yes.- But I need some form of plan you're doing for detox or rehab.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Because we're in care proceedings, there will be an expectation for that.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50They're not going to just turn around because you go to contact
0:08:50 > 0:08:54and it's going well that they will let you have your baby back.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- I don't see why I should... - Because the risk would be so high.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02I know people that's got their children and they're still on methadone.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04But we're in court with this.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08The baby's been removed because of the chaotic drug use, the history.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13You need evidence that you have changed your lifestyle.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Yes, but obviously we have changed.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Yes, and I've made that clear, I want you to know that
0:09:18 > 0:09:20and I don't want to take that away from you.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23But to be honest with you, when I work with families,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26I would have an expectation of that,
0:09:26 > 0:09:31plus, I'd want to see evidence of you living in the community as well,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33drug-free for a while.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- Why...- It's too late... - It's not too late.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- It's too late, I'm never going to get her back.- It's not too late.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- I'm just trying to be honest with you.- No, I'm not going to get her back.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48It's like what we're doing now isn't good enough.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- I've got to wait till I'm abstinent to get my child back.- Yes.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57What are you frightened of? That you feel you won't be able to do that?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00No, not in time. I want my baby back as a baby, Louise.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03I don't want her back when she's, like two.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04And everything's done too late.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08It's not because if you go and have detox, which is two weeks,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10and you're doing really well,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13we could look at a mother and baby unit, so she'll be with you.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17You'll be in a unit and it won't be home as such, but she will be with you.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19We ain't going to get her back.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22No, that is not true. That is not true.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- Of course we will. - That is not true.
0:10:24 > 0:10:30If I can see you, moving forward and stuff like that, I will fight for you.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I will. But at the moment, I can't.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36If someone said to me now, I have to do a recommendation,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I can't recommend it, because I need to see more.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41A major decision is going to be made
0:10:41 > 0:10:46on whether this little baby comes back to you guys, is massive.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Because we don't remove children like people think we do.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52We've just been doing what we thought was what we had to do.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Obviously you've told us different, so now we're saying,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59"Well, 100%, I'll do whatever it takes."
0:10:59 > 0:11:01But we've got to get it right.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05We have got to make sure that it's the right decision for...
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- OK.- Yes.- All right then. So I'll see you Tuesday anyway.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13'I have an expectation as a social worker
0:11:13 > 0:11:17'of what I would expect a parent to do at this level
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'where we're thinking of returning a child to their care.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24'So it's part of me, really, and how I want things to be.'
0:11:24 > 0:11:29I think you must offer parents every opportunity they can
0:11:29 > 0:11:33when we're in this level of care proceedings,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36because then, they have that opportunity, they have the choices.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Child protection is if a child is at risk of
0:11:51 > 0:11:54or is suffering significant harm.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00The standard categories we deal with are neglect, physical abuse,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08I've always had a sense of objecting to any abuse of power,
0:12:08 > 0:12:09whatever that is.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Whether it's a dictator or someone who is abusing their kid.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14You think you've seen everything
0:12:14 > 0:12:19but humanity has endless ways to surprise you.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Ben has just received a new and urgent case.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29A health visitor has reported fears that a 14-month-old baby
0:12:29 > 0:12:31is being sexually abused.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36The mother is living with a known sex offender,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38despite a police warning.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41The police are saying he's high risk and I would agree
0:12:41 > 0:12:45so I suppose our starting point is that we are not going to be
0:12:45 > 0:12:49able to agree for this baby to still live with Mum
0:12:49 > 0:12:50if this man is in the home.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- I'll see you later, James. - Yeah, all right.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02It is all about managing risk and assessing risk
0:13:02 > 0:13:04and that is what we do.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10Coming up with safe plans to limit a risk or eradicate a risk.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16We're going to meet the police there
0:13:16 > 0:13:18because as a social worker I can't remove a child.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I don't have any legal powers
0:13:20 > 0:13:26to do that, so we may require the police to take out a Police Protection Order.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28We will talk to Mum.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30If Mum is co-operative and can work with us
0:13:30 > 0:13:33then we won't need to remove the child.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36So it all depends on Mum's reaction at this point.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47The mother's boyfriend has a history of sex offences going back 30 years.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- Are you BLEEP?- Yes.- Are you?
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- Is that what we're knowing you by today?- That is my name.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05I'm just waiting for my colleague from the police to arrive. DC Moore.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- I haven't done anything wrong. - You know DC Moore, don't you? - I don't know.- Right.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I think he's possibly interviewed you about different things over
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- the past year.- Year?
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- Or during last year?- I was on bail.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24I went to the cop shop and it was NFA, no further action,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26because I was proved innocent.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- Yeah.- So...- I think...- I didn't even have to go to court for that.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34I think there's a distinction between not having enough evidence and being proved innocent.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40What we'll do, we'll explore with Mum, you can either get her somewhere
0:14:40 > 0:14:44safe or if she's got family to go to, we'll talk to her about all of that.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I think what we can't do is just walk away from her
0:14:46 > 0:14:49leaving it as it is.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53I've tried my best
0:14:53 > 0:14:56and I still get the social workers banging on my door.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59I've been under them since the age of two
0:14:59 > 0:15:03because my parents were violent and we was all taken off them anyway.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06So I've been brought up with social services all my life.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08And I've got them again now.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10In the past, I've worked with them.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15Not like, when I was a teenager, I was always against them,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18because I will never forgive them for splitting me
0:15:18 > 0:15:19and my two brothers up.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29The mother refuses to be filmed.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31MOTHER: I left my son with him yesterday.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34We'll get your son checked out by a paediatrician, all right,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36to make sure he's OK.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39It's not a situation that is acceptable
0:15:39 > 0:15:44because we consider BLEEP to pose a very high risk to children.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Ben tries to reason with her for 40 minutes.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49We're not going to leave you alone.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55YOU have to make a choice now, right?
0:15:55 > 0:16:01Are you going to work with us or do we have to go to the law
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- and get a protection order for the baby?- I won't let you take my son.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07You're either going to pack and come with us,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11or we're going to have a load of police in here who are going
0:16:11 > 0:16:15to remove your baby and take him into foster care. That's what will happen.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Come on, then, start getting some things together.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- I'm telling you to get out of my flat.- OK.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24If you're not going to listen to us, we'll to make a choice.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- We are going to PPO so that's where we are going.- Leave my baby!
0:16:29 > 0:16:30I'll speak to you later.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31WOMAN SCREAMS
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Fuck.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38That's a little bit unconventional,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40but can one of you perhaps come with me?
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- Can I go up now or not? - Um, I wouldn't at the minute.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50She couldn't, she couldn't...
0:16:50 > 0:16:56Accept that, you know, she had to leave and, you know,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58she couldn't accept any of the choices.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00So it became a bit...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05..Emotional.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09So, we've just had to take the baby. You know, sometimes...
0:17:10 > 0:17:11..you've got no choice.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14She'd been drinking.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19Just became increasingly clear she wasn't going to be able to
0:17:19 > 0:17:24make an informed decision and, you know, do the right thing.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30So, you know, this is one of those incidences where, you know,
0:17:30 > 0:17:34we have to do an extremely difficult thing.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45James, I tried ringing. Got a little visitor.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- Hello. Have they just PPO? Where's Mum?- Back at the flat.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Being restrained.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53Ben, you offered...
0:17:53 > 0:17:57And Mum knew we would B&B, find her somewhere in the interim?
0:17:57 > 0:18:01James, she's saying, "I'm not going where there's blacks and Pakis."
0:18:01 > 0:18:04She's just not, we couldn't get through to her.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Although she accepted the risk from him
0:18:06 > 0:18:10and is even worried he might have done something to him...
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Was she unhappy about the child being removed?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Yes, it's like no, no, no to everything. But accepts the risk.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19And no getting through to her.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Ultimately, we just had to pick him up and leave
0:18:22 > 0:18:25and the police dealt with the whatever it is, the aftermath.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27OK, all right. Thanks for that.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31We've got the baby in the office now. The police...
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Wow, that's quick as it can be, thank you very much for that.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- We've got a placement.- Fabulous.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45And as long as she knows he's coming with nothing, this is it.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46We'll see what we've got.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Mmm...
0:18:51 > 0:18:54This baby is now subject to a PPO which means that the baby
0:18:54 > 0:18:58can stay in our care for 72 hours and because we don't
0:18:58 > 0:19:02have as a place for the baby to stay in terms of a family member,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and because unfortunately Mother's not safe at the moment,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07we will have to place the baby in foster care
0:19:07 > 0:19:11and our fostering team has found a placement for us.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Bye, poppet.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15See you all.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19I'm trying to remember the last time we went and came back with a baby.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22I think it was about three years ago
0:19:22 > 0:19:24and the baby went home 24 hours later.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28So it happens very rarely like this. It happens...
0:19:28 > 0:19:31It can happen in a planned way when we've fully assessed,
0:19:31 > 0:19:36but to actually go out with the police and for the police to remove is very unusual.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37BABY LAUGHS
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Yay!
0:19:39 > 0:19:41It's a little song, is it?
0:19:43 > 0:19:48If I was to pick one thing that gives me the most satisfaction,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51it is getting in the way of a paedophile who's honing in on
0:19:51 > 0:19:55a child. Opportunity to stop that happening makes it all worthwhile.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58BABY GURGLES
0:20:01 > 0:20:02That's good!
0:20:02 > 0:20:04HE BABBLES AT THE BABY
0:20:04 > 0:20:05BABY BABBLES BACK
0:20:05 > 0:20:06That's very good!
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Hayley! Ben, nice to meet you.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14DOGS BARK
0:20:14 > 0:20:17You've got a few!
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Are we a thumb sucker? Do we like our thumb?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26We don't know much about the family.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30It's the first time we've been in and we've come away with him,
0:20:30 > 0:20:35so it's kind of gone from zero to 100 in the space of a few hours.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- Things don't often happen like that, thankfully.- More planned?
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Yeah, bit more planned.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47So that's your concern?
0:20:47 > 0:20:49I know you did...
0:20:49 > 0:20:52One month on, and Louise is concerned
0:20:52 > 0:20:56that Mercedes' mother still isn't reducing her methadone.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59She and her team manager meet the council's solicitor.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04I've been speaking directly to Ryan, who is Louise's drug worker.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07He's now given her a plan that she has to turn things round
0:21:07 > 0:21:09in the next four weeks.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12She has to attend all appointments offered to her,
0:21:12 > 0:21:17produce urines every time, and he will review that after four weeks.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19If she's managed to do that, he will look at
0:21:19 > 0:21:22further assessing her as having to go into detox.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23And if she doesn't?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26If she doesn't, he will refer her to a GP
0:21:26 > 0:21:30where she will continue on the methadone level, whatever she is.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Mercedes was born on the back of a history of...
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Drug use. Entrenched drug use.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Previous child removed and we timetabled through
0:21:40 > 0:21:45because we think that this is a case that can be dealt with relatively
0:21:45 > 0:21:50quickly because, ultimately, it turns on,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53can parents make a change?
0:21:53 > 0:21:57And there's nothing that you are describing to me now,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00or that is really in their statements,
0:22:00 > 0:22:01that suggests that they can.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05How is your assessment going to change between now and 25th February?
0:22:05 > 0:22:09In February, you'll have two people saying they're going to go into detox.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13They're producing a plan where they're going into detox, evidence.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- They are doing it? - But it is a big if, if they do.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17There's nothing...
0:22:17 > 0:22:21If they do, then that means the courts are going to be
0:22:21 > 0:22:23requesting timescales.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25They will be requesting a timescale.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31- If they are providing negative samples...- Which they have done.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34When have they provided negative samples?
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Doing this just by memory,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40the 15th of the 11th, I am sure there was a negative for Louise.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45- So we've got one negative. - But it is still a negative.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47That's not going to wash it with the court.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Oliver, I'm not arguing with you and I'm not saying to you
0:22:50 > 0:22:53that they are doing so fantastic and I'm trying to fight their battle.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- They are not doing well, they are high risk.- OK.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58My concern is...
0:22:58 > 0:23:03I think we're running too fast with this and I think they've got to have
0:23:03 > 0:23:07a reasonable timescale for this baby, to have every chance they can to turn this round.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10If they can't, then fair enough, I'll go into court and say that.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14OK. Well, in that case, I think if at some point we think,
0:23:14 > 0:23:19"Hang on a minute, they do appear to be turning it round," then let's look at it again.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23Whee! What's that?
0:23:23 > 0:23:26It's massive for someone, I'm always aware of that.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30You know, we're asking an awful lot - life-changing.
0:23:30 > 0:23:36This is big stakes. Big, big stakes for this family.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42The baby's future will be decided in court.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44To help make the decision,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46the court appoints a guardian for the child.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Sarah's priority is to determine
0:23:51 > 0:23:54the baby's future as quickly as possible.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58'The child deserves a chance
0:23:58 > 0:24:01to be brought up within their family if at all possible,
0:24:01 > 0:24:07'but you have to balance that against the developmental needs of a very young child.'
0:24:07 > 0:24:11We did used to think that babies were quite portable
0:24:11 > 0:24:13and as long as their needs were met,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16it didn't matter too much who was meeting those needs.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Now there is much more research about how vitally important it is,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23particularly for brain development,
0:24:23 > 0:24:29for them to establish good, solid, predictable attachments.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34SHE SINGS
0:24:34 > 0:24:38'If babies don't develop those attachment skills,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41'that obviously affects all their relationships into their future.'
0:24:45 > 0:24:47I want to be very clear with Louise,
0:24:47 > 0:24:52as I have been before, exactly the things that worry me
0:24:52 > 0:24:56about her and Wayne's ability to safely parent.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00I think it's only fair to be very clear about
0:25:00 > 0:25:06what the difficulties are even though you can't sugar-coat it.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09That always has to be balanced by the fact that
0:25:09 > 0:25:12she's a vulnerable young woman and these are very difficult,
0:25:12 > 0:25:17emotionally distressing areas of conversation.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21I'm not happy about any of the options, really.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26I want her really, but if it was a case where it come to that
0:25:26 > 0:25:29I couldn't have her full-time,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33I would ask for it to go to court for my mum,
0:25:33 > 0:25:39as long as it was set in stone that I could see her on a regular basis,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41as long as I was doing well.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43And you are doing really well.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48What that has to be balanced with is how long she can wait.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50That's the focus of my job
0:25:50 > 0:25:53and obviously to look at all the alternatives.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57If she can't come to me, I don't want her in care.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- No.- Like, being adopted out.- No.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05No, if we possibly can, she needs to be within her family, doesn't she?
0:26:05 > 0:26:10I mean the difficulty is the time to go through your recovery
0:26:10 > 0:26:13with its ups and downs is much longer
0:26:13 > 0:26:16than the timelines for a little baby.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19The best thing to do is bring her round here tomorrow
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and we'll have her here from tomorrow. Sweet. Done.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25We're loving and caring, you know.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28I've got a couple of pictures to put on the wall,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32a couple of things to sort out but we're getting there.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I don't feel like I'm going to get her back for some reason.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38At the end of the day, the court will make that decision.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Because recovery is a long road, it is for life.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47It is a very, very long road. Also the professionals have to be absolutely sure
0:26:47 > 0:26:52because the worst thing of the lot would be the court says,
0:26:52 > 0:26:56"You deserve a chance," and things go badly wrong
0:26:56 > 0:27:01and she has to be moved again. That's why, I know it feels like
0:27:01 > 0:27:05you've got massive hoops to jump through, and you have,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09and I'm being very straight with you about what those are
0:27:09 > 0:27:11but that's the reason,
0:27:11 > 0:27:16because we can't take those kind of risks with her.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21All right, babe? We'll get her back, of course we will.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24That's what we want. I think it will help us.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27But that's not Mercedes' job to help you.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31No, I don't mean that, but it will...
0:27:31 > 0:27:35- It's just what we want. - She should be with her mum.
0:27:35 > 0:27:41She should and if it's possible, if it's possible...
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Because it is about her.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47She's an innocent little baby, isn't she?
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- She didn't ask for all of this.- No.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00Louise has four weeks to prove she's serious about quitting drugs.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04I'm just taking and reducing all my methadone
0:28:04 > 0:28:07because I was on 75ml and I'm now on 45 now.
0:28:07 > 0:28:13I need to be down to at least 30ml to go into detox.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18You know, I just want to be in my own little house
0:28:18 > 0:28:21not having to move again and stuff like that.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25I'd like to be settled down in a relationship with Wayne,
0:28:25 > 0:28:32just living the normallest life possible with my children.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35# Row, Row, row your boat Gently down the stream
0:28:35 > 0:28:39# If you see a crocodile Don't forget to scream. #
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Ahh!
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Where's your eyes?
0:28:43 > 0:28:47The baby boy Ben removed is doing well in foster care.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48Who's this?
0:28:48 > 0:28:53- It's an elephant.- Give him a cuddle. Give him cuddles. Ahh!
0:28:55 > 0:28:59A lot of these children don't have secure and good attachments,
0:28:59 > 0:29:03and our first role is getting that attachment going.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06It needs to be a relaxed atmosphere, it needs to be very calm,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10a lot of time spent for the child to trust you.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14It shows them they can actually go on and attach to other people.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17SHE WHISTLES/BABY LAUGHS
0:29:17 > 0:29:21He does get very, very upset when he has a nappy changing
0:29:21 > 0:29:25and when you dress him, so we obviously let his social worker
0:29:25 > 0:29:28know that that's a little bit of an issue with him.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32- How is he doing?- He's great.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37He's been absolutely contented and smiley and a dream.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41She's really chuffed. I think she wants to keep him.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Ben's biggest concern
0:29:50 > 0:29:53is that the baby might have been sexually abused,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56so he has been examined by a paediatrician.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01We did a formal developmental assessment and it was great.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06There's just a couple of things that concerns us lightly.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Socially he was a bit unusually accepting of strangers.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13For example, he put his arm up to Russell and immediately wants to go and cuddle.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18The fact that he was fine in your office and he settled into the foster carers so quickly
0:30:18 > 0:30:20- is just slightly unusual for a 14-month-old.- Sure.
0:30:20 > 0:30:25- And the physical examination, no signs of anything untoward?- No.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Russell did most of it, but nothing of concern.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Brilliant. That's good news.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Thankfully there's no physical signs of sexual abuse,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39but it doesn't mean nothing has happened.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42What we know about this bloke is he had plenty opportunities
0:30:42 > 0:30:46to sexually abuse this child and disturbingly that he took
0:30:46 > 0:30:51major responsibility for changing nappies.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Why would you do that if you were... If it's not your child?
0:30:55 > 0:30:59Mum's willing to do it, so that's slightly disturbing,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02but perhaps we'll never know.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Children are only removed immediately
0:31:06 > 0:31:10in the most extreme, high-risk situations.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17A new case of severe neglect has been referred to Ellen.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20- Is that the master bedroom?- Yes.
0:31:25 > 0:31:30She is concerned a seven-year-old child is living in these conditions.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35- Because that is obviously human faeces in the bath.- Yeah.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42- They've spent a lot of money on these blocks.- Pardon?
0:31:42 > 0:31:44They've spent a lot of money on these blocks.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Ellen has already met the child at school
0:31:47 > 0:31:51and now takes a housing officer to see the mother.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54'It was about direct work with families,
0:31:54 > 0:31:58'that was what really drew me to a career in social work.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03'Sadly, that's not really what we are able to do these days
0:32:03 > 0:32:06'just due to sheer demand on our time.'
0:32:13 > 0:32:18Hi, there. We're the council. We've got an appointment for you today.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23We need you to come in. I'll come down and speak to you. One minute.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28'As social workers, we've got a huge barrier to get over when we very first meet families.'
0:32:31 > 0:32:34'But our aim is to keep families together.'
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Where are we going then?
0:32:39 > 0:32:41Where are we going first?
0:32:41 > 0:32:44When was the last time you were in here?
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Where's your lounge? Come on then, let's go.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I'm Ellen, I'm the one that wrote you the letter.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I had a referral from the housing department.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05Obviously they were concerned about the living conditions of the flat
0:33:05 > 0:33:08and so then the referral was made to me.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- WOMAN SOBS - It's OK. Listen.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15The mother agrees to continue filming as long as she isn't identified.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20- We're here to help you. - You've come to take my daughter!
0:33:20 > 0:33:23No, no, no. Obviously you need some help and some support
0:33:23 > 0:33:25and that's what we're here to do.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29The housing department told me that the toilet is not working
0:33:29 > 0:33:32and that it's blocked and so you need to use the bath
0:33:32 > 0:33:36and that can be repaired, we can get that sorted today.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41- I just want somewhere where I can stay with her!- This is your home.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- I don't want this place!- Is there problems? Is there problems here?
0:33:45 > 0:33:48It's everything. Everything!
0:33:48 > 0:33:53At the moment, it's not in a good state, is it? We need to sort it out.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57Crystal and I can help you get moved if that's what you want.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00You want my daughter!
0:34:00 > 0:34:06No, we want to help you so that you've got a nice home.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08WOMAN SOBS
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Can you show us round then?
0:34:28 > 0:34:31I think, this is on the list to do. There's nothing I can see that
0:34:31 > 0:34:35I can do straight away to help you with this
0:34:35 > 0:34:40because I think, in terms of... It's just a good clean, isn't it?
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- It's not working, is it?- If you open that, it's all blocked.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48I'll call repairs on that.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51- The water comes out of the plughole. - The bath is blocked, is it?
0:34:51 > 0:34:57Someone said they were going to phone domestic someone...
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Domestic drains. - They never came out.- OK.
0:35:00 > 0:35:06I wanted to move. I got told I couldn't move.
0:35:06 > 0:35:12- This is your room, here? - Yeah, it's got loads of...
0:35:12 > 0:35:17- How long have you not been staying here?- Over a year.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21So you've been sofa-hopping for a year then, really?
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Do you drink at all?
0:35:24 > 0:35:28I did used to, and now I don't. That's why I got in trouble with the police.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31That's when you were found drunk in the park, wasn't it?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33- Quite a while ago? - How do you know that?
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Because, obviously, we were notified, but we didn't have to follow that up,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41because your mum agreed to go and pick your child up from school,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43and kept her overnight.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45That's when it all went wrong.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Are you all right with me coming round on Monday?
0:35:49 > 0:35:52- And we'll make a start on it together.- Mmm.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Cos I think, you know, it's got to a point where you're sort of just
0:35:55 > 0:35:59drowning in it, aren't you, a little bit? And it's all got too much.
0:35:59 > 0:36:00SHE CRIES
0:36:00 > 0:36:03So things can only move forward now.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07'That is the role of a social worker,
0:36:07 > 0:36:08'to engage with families.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12'It's actually about being able to demonstrate to families that,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15'actually, we want to work with them. We don't want to dictate.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20'But all the time, it's about risk assessing the household.
0:36:20 > 0:36:21'Is this child at risk?'
0:36:21 > 0:36:24If so, who from, what from?
0:36:24 > 0:36:27And are we able to put in
0:36:27 > 0:36:31a safety plan to reduce those risks,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33or do we need to remove the child?
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Ellen gives the mother two weeks to clean up
0:36:37 > 0:36:39while the daughter stays with her aunt.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43The long-term future of the child remains in doubt.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Wayne has tested positive for crack,
0:36:54 > 0:36:58and been recalled to prison to serve the last two weeks of a sentence for burglary.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05'I'm the main carer that is there for her,
0:37:05 > 0:37:09'so I'm hoping it won't put that much of a big dent in.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12'Maybe, like, they might say yes to work a bit harder.
0:37:12 > 0:37:13'I don't know.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16'But they have told me that I'm the one that
0:37:16 > 0:37:18'they're looking at more.'
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Oh, this is a joke, man!
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Here he is, look!
0:37:27 > 0:37:30'I think maybe it was just getting a bit on top of him.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32'Everything just a bit too much.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37'And he'll go through courts and stuff like that.'
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Why has he had his hair cut off?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41I knew you would have and all...
0:37:41 > 0:37:43- Give us a kiss, then.- ..In there.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Give us a kiss, then.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Go on, then.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49Why is your jacket off?
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Why is your jacket off? You don't like it?
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Who's that? Yeah, yeah.
0:37:58 > 0:37:59What?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- Me jeans are ripped.- Yeah? I've got your jeans in there for you.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Those jeans are too tight, love!
0:38:04 > 0:38:08'He thinks he can just come off the crack and the heroin,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11'and he can still have a drink.'
0:38:11 > 0:38:15He can go out partying, take pills and snort coke,
0:38:15 > 0:38:18like, on a weekend, and that's fine.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20He thinks that's all right.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23'He's not in this role of abstinent...
0:38:25 > 0:38:27'..but I've got a time limit on mine,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30'which is a lot different. But, you know...'
0:38:33 > 0:38:34Cheers.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40You wasn't really worried about me coming on a visit, was you, love?
0:38:45 > 0:38:46You? Been in the gym?!
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Mmm.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52I think you're put into a category,
0:38:52 > 0:38:56like, if you're on drugs, you're going to be a bad parent.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58It's just wrong. It's not true at all.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00I know plenty of good parents.
0:39:00 > 0:39:01So, yeah.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10Knowing children need a settled and secure home in which to thrive,
0:39:10 > 0:39:14Ellen returns to see if the mother has started the clean-up.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20'It's no good me just going in and, you know,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23'taking over, because that's not what it's about.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25'Because if she doesn't take ownership for it now,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28'the likelihood is we will have a repeat of this
0:39:28 > 0:39:31'in another 12, 18 months' time.'
0:39:40 > 0:39:43I think there's no sign of her at the moment,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45which is really disappointing.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49However, what looks really positive is that when I've just looked through the letterbox now...
0:39:52 > 0:39:53umm...
0:39:53 > 0:39:56there's lots of black bags by the door.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59Umm...
0:39:59 > 0:40:01And, actually, I can hear some news.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Hiya, I thought you weren't in.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- I've got to go out and get some more things.- Have you?
0:40:16 > 0:40:19How are you getting on? May I have a look?
0:40:19 > 0:40:20Let's have a look.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32OK.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35But do you think, realistically,
0:40:35 > 0:40:37that this is going to be ready by Friday?
0:40:37 > 0:40:38I'm going to do it.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I mean, I was going to do it. In fact, I'm starting now.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44So, what's the plan of action for the rest of today?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Just...
0:40:46 > 0:40:48clear both rooms,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50clean out and then go on to the other one.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53And then chuck everything out the cupboard in that one.
0:40:53 > 0:40:58'I think she does have enough understanding to be able to acknowledge that, actually,
0:40:58 > 0:40:59'if she doesn't make the changes,
0:40:59 > 0:41:04'then her daughter is not going to be returned to her care immediately.'
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Louise is reducing her methadone,
0:41:14 > 0:41:16but she, too, has tested positive for other drugs.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Seven weeks after being told she needs to be clean,
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Louise finally accepts she's not ready to take Mercedes home.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55'She clearly said to me she's thought about things.'
0:41:55 > 0:42:00She knows that she's not going to be able to achieve what's necessary
0:42:00 > 0:42:02within the timescales.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05She don't know how many months it will take her to recover.
0:42:05 > 0:42:11What she said to me was that she was going to continue to be abstinent for herself,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14and so she could have a relationship with Mercedes.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17But she wanted her mum to have care of her.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18She says she's thought about it,
0:42:18 > 0:42:20and her mind would not change.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27And that is exactly what she said to me in early January,
0:42:27 > 0:42:31- that because she loves Mercedes so much... - That is why she wants to do it.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- ..that's why she wants the very best for her.- She don't want her left,
0:42:35 > 0:42:38cos she knows she's not going to achieve it within, you know,
0:42:38 > 0:42:40the next months or whatever.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I think it's fair to say that, on the basis of what we've got,
0:42:43 > 0:42:47we will not be recommending rehabilitation into the care of mum, alone,
0:42:47 > 0:42:49or mother with Wayne.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54- Do you agree with that, Louise? - Yes, I do.
0:42:59 > 0:43:04'You know, there is an expectation that she needed to achieve, really, by January.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08'She knows she's not done that. She's admitted she has been tested positive.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13'And, you know, I really admire her for doing that.'
0:43:13 > 0:43:15And I don't think she realises, actually,
0:43:15 > 0:43:18what amazing things she's done for the sake of the baby,
0:43:18 > 0:43:20really, in that way.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23There she goes!
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Does she? Yes!
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Look at you!
0:43:27 > 0:43:30'I've not given up. I'll still be doing what I can.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32'It's just that I don't think
0:43:32 > 0:43:36'I stand that much of a chance of succeeding to get her back
0:43:36 > 0:43:39'in the timescale of things that I've got to do.
0:43:42 > 0:43:47'Hopefully, soon, she'll be settled down with my mum and her sister.'
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Little princess!
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Is you my little princess?
0:43:54 > 0:43:55Oh, yeah!
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Oh, yeah, you wait till you see your sister!
0:43:58 > 0:44:00She's going to love YOU!
0:44:05 > 0:44:10# That's what she said to me... #
0:44:10 > 0:44:15'Yay! # Sera, sera. #'
0:44:15 > 0:44:17SONG: "Que Sera, Sera"
0:44:17 > 0:44:20Bye bye, sweetheart. Maybe see you Monday. Bye!
0:44:21 > 0:44:23Goodbye, sweetheart. Goodbye.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25All right. Cheers, thanks.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27Bye!
0:44:27 > 0:44:29Bye, little sis!
0:44:29 > 0:44:30Goodbye, sweetie.
0:44:55 > 0:44:58They've chucked this in.
0:45:01 > 0:45:02WATER DRAINS
0:45:11 > 0:45:13TAP WATER FLOWS
0:45:16 > 0:45:18TOILET FLUSHES
0:45:26 > 0:45:31'I stopped talking to my dad for just over a year, I think,
0:45:31 > 0:45:33'a year and a half.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36'And it was just isolation, really.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40'I was isolating myself from everybody and just drank.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45'Friday to Sunday, it would be just a massive binge.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49'I would do, like, 18 litres of cider.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52'I'd vom. I went yellow.
0:45:52 > 0:45:53'Imagine that.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56'What's that? Like, six litres a day?'
0:45:59 > 0:46:01I found out I got sacked,
0:46:01 > 0:46:03and then I just come straight back here,
0:46:03 > 0:46:08grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniel's and Southern Comfort.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11I just drunk the Southern Comfort and the Jack Daniel's,
0:46:11 > 0:46:12and passed out in a park.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16And, umm...
0:46:16 > 0:46:20I think that's when social services was called once.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22That's how Ellen knew before I told her.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28I was all sober when I see her.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34Got to get things sorted.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41'I think, probably, the key to all of this
0:46:41 > 0:46:43'is going to be going back quite a long time,
0:46:43 > 0:46:46'and all these emotional problems have been escalating,
0:46:46 > 0:46:48'and now they've got to crisis point.'
0:46:55 > 0:46:56A month on,
0:46:56 > 0:46:59Louise is struggling to come to terms
0:46:59 > 0:47:01with not getting her daughter back.
0:47:03 > 0:47:07'We're obviously looking at her having a part in the baby's life
0:47:07 > 0:47:11'so the baby can associate with her and know who she is.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13'But that is what we're asking,
0:47:13 > 0:47:16'for another person to be the main carer,
0:47:16 > 0:47:20'and that's very hard for a mother to have to understand.'
0:47:22 > 0:47:27Now, going back, you, Louise, said that you've really thought about this
0:47:27 > 0:47:29and that you were aware
0:47:29 > 0:47:32that although you would love to keep Mercedes yourself,
0:47:32 > 0:47:35you know that you're not in the place to do it at this time.
0:47:35 > 0:47:40- Yeah, at this time.- Therefore, you wanted to put your mum forward.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42Therefore, you're doing this for yourself,
0:47:42 > 0:47:45so that you can have involvement in her life.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48Yeah, but I would like shared responsibility, not,
0:47:48 > 0:47:50"Oh, she's at my mum's and she's fine,"
0:47:50 > 0:47:53and I get one day a week contact, what's that?
0:47:53 > 0:47:57If you like, that offer is in a sense of what is guaranteed.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59That's not to say it stays at that,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02because as I've said to you, if things are going really well,
0:48:02 > 0:48:05there's nothing to say that that don't increase.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07One day a week? That's less than what I get now.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11Well, to be honest with you, in most situations like this,
0:48:11 > 0:48:13we would recommend five times a year.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15- What?- Yeah.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17So this is exceptionally high,
0:48:17 > 0:48:19and the reason why I'm supporting that level
0:48:19 > 0:48:24is because you both have been really good. And committed.
0:48:24 > 0:48:28It's meant to be better and easier when they're kept in the family.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32- How is that when you get one contact a week?- Because if she was adopted, you wouldn't see her.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34Well, maybe that would be better.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36Well, I don't agree with that,
0:48:36 > 0:48:39because you do want to be part of her life, don't you?
0:48:39 > 0:48:42I can't give you what you want, honey, can I?
0:48:42 > 0:48:47I can't give it to you because you're not in the right place to do that. You're in a good place...
0:48:47 > 0:48:50It's heartbreaking. You know, we're trying so hard.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54- How far she's come in the last eight months is unbelievable.- I know.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56I've told you, I won't take that away from you.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00- We've jumped through so many hoops. - But it's not enough, unfortunately.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03- I know. Oh, I can't...- That's OK.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06The local authority, which is me,
0:49:06 > 0:49:09is telling you what we will be recommending.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12Your solicitor is the one who will fight for you about that,
0:49:12 > 0:49:14so when you do see her,
0:49:14 > 0:49:17you need to be telling her that you're not happy
0:49:17 > 0:49:19with what I'm suggesting at once a week,
0:49:19 > 0:49:22and she will go in court and fight for more.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30I don't know how anyone can recommend someone
0:49:30 > 0:49:33seeing their child once a week myself.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38We have to look at it in the long-term thing
0:49:38 > 0:49:41for a child to be able to settle in a placement.
0:49:41 > 0:49:46It would be really disruptive for you to be going in and out loads and loads of times.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48That child would be really confused.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51That's the only option I've got for going to my mum's.
0:49:51 > 0:49:55No, you had another option, but you haven't been able to manage that,
0:49:55 > 0:49:58and very bravely, you've admitted that.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01Which I will say, a lot of mums are unable to do that,
0:50:01 > 0:50:04but you have, so you did have another option.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09Ooh!
0:50:13 > 0:50:14Right, then.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20That was very, very difficult. Um...
0:50:22 > 0:50:25I just feel very, very sad at the moment, really, with it all.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28Both of them are not in the right place
0:50:28 > 0:50:31to hear these sort of messages, really,
0:50:31 > 0:50:36because they can't see where they are in their drug use or recovery.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40And it's just very, very difficult to say that to a mum, really.
0:50:40 > 0:50:44So it's just a part of social work I don't really enjoy.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48But there you go, it has to be said, because,
0:50:48 > 0:50:54like I said just now, that is my job, I am the social worker to the child.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33Ellen is aware the clean-up is just the beginning.
0:51:33 > 0:51:39The mother must now work towards providing a real home before her daughter can move back in.
0:52:03 > 0:52:09The referral to us sparked a whole triage of professionals, really.
0:52:09 > 0:52:14We're brought in to support and actually empower you,
0:52:14 > 0:52:16and put you back on the right track.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20The other thing would be around developing a home for the both of you.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28'Now we're looking at the longer-term stuff,
0:52:28 > 0:52:33'and how she can maintain where she is now without our intervention.'
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Hello!
0:52:35 > 0:52:37- How are you?- OK.- If your gas is paid off,
0:52:37 > 0:52:40you can keep it a bit warmer in here, can't you?
0:52:40 > 0:52:46Right, so if you can roughly write down for me all coming in and going out.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55A child needs a home.
0:52:55 > 0:52:57It's about her having a base,
0:52:57 > 0:53:01and it's about them as a family unit having a base.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12Round and round they go! Like a teddy bear.
0:53:12 > 0:53:18One step, two step, and tickle him under there!
0:53:18 > 0:53:22The baby Ben removed continues to thrive with his foster carers.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25The long-term hope is that he'll be reunited with his mother,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28but only if she proves she can keep him safe.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31To see the difference from the day he arrived till today
0:53:31 > 0:53:33has been brilliant, the development,
0:53:33 > 0:53:38he's come on leaps and bounds, his speech and language is coming along,
0:53:38 > 0:53:40he's interacting, he's playing.
0:53:40 > 0:53:46Yeah, we're really enjoying having him, and I think he's enjoying being here.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50And he's tending to walk little bit more! Yes, you are.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52When we have a success,
0:53:52 > 0:53:54that's never out there splattered across the papers,
0:53:54 > 0:53:56"Social services save a child,"
0:53:56 > 0:54:00you'll never see that headline, so what we do is largely invisible.
0:54:00 > 0:54:04It's only visible when something goes wrong and we're vilified.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06Good afternoon, duty team. Debbie speaking.
0:54:06 > 0:54:12You know, Baby P died, and Sharon Shoesmith,
0:54:12 > 0:54:15the head of Haringey children's services, was sacked.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17Sacked. No investigation, sacked.
0:54:19 > 0:54:25When the police shot Jean Charles de Menezes in the head seven times,
0:54:25 > 0:54:29an innocent Brazilian, obviously a tragic mistake,
0:54:29 > 0:54:31but a failing on their part.
0:54:31 > 0:54:35The police closed ranks, the politicians closed ranks around the police,
0:54:35 > 0:54:39and you get a sense that OK, they are well-protected by the state.
0:54:39 > 0:54:45But if something goes wrong with social work, then bang, you're out, you're scapegoated
0:54:45 > 0:54:48and splattered across the papers as some sort of incompetent do-gooder.
0:54:48 > 0:54:53So we do feel exposed and out on a limb. We know if it goes wrong, we're going to get in the head.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01Baby Mercedes is now eight months old.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08After weeks of getting to know her grandmother at contact sessions,
0:55:08 > 0:55:11she's on the way to her new home.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43Oh, there she is!
0:55:52 > 0:55:54What a special day.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58Louise is also moving on, setting up a new home with Wayne,
0:55:58 > 0:56:04but without her baby, the second child she's lost to her addiction.
0:56:04 > 0:56:11Obviously, I'd love to have her, but at this time, um,
0:56:11 > 0:56:13it wouldn't be right to have her, really.
0:56:14 > 0:56:19I do have slips on the crack. That's my downfall.
0:56:25 > 0:56:30I've got a lot out there to fight for and to be strong for.
0:56:33 > 0:56:34Hello, baby!
0:56:35 > 0:56:42Hello! Hello! Are you talking to me?
0:56:54 > 0:56:59That's Louise as a baby. Four and a half months. That's your mummy.
0:57:00 > 0:57:05This is Louise. That's Mummy. That's in 2007.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07- Oh, that's beautiful.- Yeah.
0:57:10 > 0:57:14I shall give her back to you, then, for the next 18 years.
0:57:14 > 0:57:18It is, isn't it? We don't mind, do we?
0:57:18 > 0:57:19- Take care.- And you.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21'I think it's a very powerful job.'
0:57:21 > 0:57:24Sometimes I do think to myself, "Who are you to make that decision?
0:57:24 > 0:57:26"Who are you?"
0:57:26 > 0:57:28Stuart and I have to really think about that,
0:57:28 > 0:57:30and as long as I feel that it's right for that child,
0:57:30 > 0:57:33then that's what I do.
0:58:06 > 0:58:10To find out more about the daily lives of social workers,
0:58:10 > 0:58:17go to our website and follow the links to the Open University.
0:58:41 > 0:58:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd