From my experience (professional, not personal), there is far too much that has to be done before DCP gets involved.
We had clients many years ago (the downside to doing a portion of legal aid work!), who had 3 children all of whom were in and out of care. When their fourth baby was born she was seized by DCP from the maternity ward within hours of her birth. TBH all I can think is that that little baby had it lucky. Her brothers and sister weren't anywhere near as fortunate. 15 odd years later I still have a little cry at times thinking of what those children were subjected to.
That must be the hardest part for children being in out of care, not knowing where their permanent safe home is, or what it is.
It really sounds like there is a very fine line between what is going on and what needs to be proved before a child can be taken. LuluHB, I kind of have the same opinion that too much goes on before they will do something about it.
So then does anyone know how common it would be for a first born bub to be taken so early on? I understand that there would be a difference if there was a history with other children in the family, but first born and basically fom hospital would be different?
I know of a family who were well known to DOCS, both parents had mental issues due to drug use, etc. They went on to have a 3rd child and that baby was not taken from their care at birth. So my point is that if a family well known to DOCS wouldn't have a bub taken, it must be quite serious indeed for the removal of a 1st baby....how common? I don't know of anyone myself (thankfully) but I don't have that much contact with DOCS- well not on a regular basis.
Sometimes I suppose they can pre-determine that the parents don't have the mental capacity to safely care for a child (though in the case I just mentioned in my opinion it was obvious the parents we incapible - but they kept the child -until it was about 6 mths old anyway).
It's all so bl***y sad really. I remember my first time I had to report - I was a fresh director, I knew it was the right thing, didn't stop the tears when the children were seized that day, from my service.....just awful. And the worst part, we don't get follow up info on those children, they disappear into the system and you never hear of them again alot of the time.
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