Sam’s Story

1. Sam’s Story Information Sharing module

2. Community Psychiatric Nurse January 2008 You saw Jackie S, 32, because she was suffering from depression and severe anxiety, and was mildly agoraphobic. She had a son, Sam, 9 and a one-year-old daughter, Katie, and was finding it difficult to cope as her husband was often away on business. After a few months Jackie said she was much better and said she did not need to continue. You would liked to continue for longer, but Jackie was adamant, so it was agreed that the support would stop now, with the door always open for more if necessary.

3. The Primary School Teacher June 2008 Sam S, 9 years old, is a quiet and helpful boy. Recently he has seemed tired, thinner, and a bit untidier. He seems to have become quite ‘grown up’, and doesn’t play very much now with the other children. This term he has also had quite a lot of odd days’ absence for minor ailments, always explained by note from his mother. When you ask if everything is OK at home, he says that it is… but you’re not sure you believe him. He seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

4. Play Scheme Worker August 2008 Sam attended your play scheme a few times during the summer holidays. He didn’t join in much and seemed tired, anxious and upset. When he was seen crying he said his mother wasn’t well, but refused to say more. He didn’t come again.

5. Social Services November 1 2008 Jackie S. phones social services, very distressed, asking for housing help. She is having to move out of her home within two weeks and has two children aged 2 and 10. She is offered an urgent appointment, but does not attend the meeting. When the officer tries to phone to follow up, the telephone has been cut off.

6. The School Attendance Manager November 8 2008 Sam S. was absent all last week and so far this week there has been no call from home to explain why. Past absences have always been explained by notes from his mother, but you are concerned about this absence. When you telephone Jackie S., Sam’s mother, you get a number unobtainable signal, so you call round to the house where you are told the family has moved away due to a repossession order. There is no forwarding address.

7. The Health Visitor December 2008 Jackie S. had not been to clinic for some time, so you made a home visit to see that everything was OK with the family, and in particular, Katie, aged 2, and Jackie herself, who has told you she has had mental health problems in the past. You also suspect marital difficulties. You found that the family had moved away. There was no-one around to say where they had gone.

8. Social Services Duty Officer February 2009 You receive an anonymous call from a neighbour saying that she is concerned about some children in her street; they seem about 10 and 2 years old. They moved in a few months ago with their mother, but she has hardly ever seen the mother. The boy seems to do all the shopping and takes the little girl out for walks. He’s often there when he should be at school. She explained that she had approached the boy but he told her his mother was very busy working from home. She said he looked quite haunted. She had knocked on the door but no-one had answered. She didn’t know their name.

9. The GP February 2009 The receptionist has asked you to see Sam because he has just turned up without an appointment with his two-year old sister, Katie, who has a bad cough. Sam’s family is not registered with the practice, but they have recently moved into your area. Sam explains that his father is away and his mother is busy, and he’s worried about Katie’s cough. The boy is clearly worried about his sister, but you are worried about him too – he looks malnourished and seems very strained and apprehensive. After examining Katie you talk to Sam who ultimately starts to cry and explains that his father has left and his mother cries all the time and is too frightened to go outside at all. She has told him that he is now the man of the family, and he must not tell anyone that she is ill or that their father has left.