McCann's and social work . . . ?

Question

As a trainee social worker (for which I have been severely villified on YA!) I have just spent 2 hours discussing this case with my practice teacher - she is an independant reviewing officer for the london borough of . . . (ha you really thought I'd tell?) Which means she deals with child protection at a high level on a daily basis.
She said the McCann's will be seen by social services IF they ever return to the UK as they were neglectful of their duties as parents.

Why then are the so-called anti-McCanns - a term I personally hate . . being villified on YA and called a lynch mob if all we are doing is seeking what is right and peoper according to UK law?

(Pre-empting the answers about the CPS decision not to prosecute - there was no decision to make - the 'offence' if you want to call it that did not happen on UK soil but there remains concern (for social workers ) about the level of care they provide/d for the twins . . .)

thanks for all answers re: nobody wants to see them dragged off to jail - being realistic, they would be assessed and given some firm advice about neglect and parental responsibilities . . . Oh and of course monitored.

Mad Cherie -
am I wrong that the McCann's left Madeline alone then?
I thought that was a FACT? and as such demontreates clear neglect - correct me if I am wrong, please? I haven't alluded to anything I have read in papers/ blogs or anywhere else, the simple fact of leaving the children alone. You will also note that in this post even senior Child Protection workers are questioning their actions . . . Do you think the McCanns were right to leave their children alone then?

Annie M
What high Horse?
Pleas ecan you give me case examples of where social workers (not managers) have been responsible for child deaths? If you are going to quote victoria climbie at me - don't even get me started . . .go read the enquiry
notice the press didn't report the social worker in that case being re-instated . . . ? I wonder why? Do you by chance read the mail? They hate social workers too!

Oh and just another qucik one for you 10% of the NHS total expenditure is accounted for by lititgation - ie.e people's suing Dr's for negligence - I don't see Dr's, the McCanns or otherwise getting greif about it and medical negligence is much more clear cut than so-called social services mistakes . . .

Eden
So you don't think I am concerned about the welfare of Maddie or her siblings then? Oh how you misunderstand me - I wonder how they will feel knowing they too were left alone and vulnerable by their parents - did you consider that? Have you come up against that at work - I know I have . . .

Low blow Barrie G - I know plenty in the 9 years I have been working with children and families (sorry I forgot to mention I was qualifying under a masters programme with several years of experience behind me)
Barrie have you had a bad personal experience? Did you follow the complaints proceedure or just tar all social workers with your negative brush - or did you just read the Mail too much and not consider the 99% of positive outcomes the media don't report on - biased? I think so. I know lots of brilliant social workers who have inspired me before and during my studies . . . I am sure their servuce users would attest to that aswell. wake up.

Answer 1

I wanted to do Social Work but I had to take a year out as I wasn't 18 in the summer the course started and I never went back to it.... someday maybe!

It is a FACT, as you have proved, that Social Services will have an interest in the case and need to speak to the couple on their return. This doesn't mean that they will be dragged to jail or anything and that is not what many people are calling for.

My concern is a genuine one for the welfare of their remaining children and the children of those that dined with them and also left babies sleeping.

Answer 2

You are not 'villified' for being an 'anti McCann' I haven't read any post at all and I've been here a lot longer than you, where anyone dubbed 'pro McCann' has stated that the McCanns were correct to do what they did. But what Faith wrote is true, this has now become nothing more than a popularity competition, with everyone vying for pole position.
You actually come across as a terribly aggressive person which is maybe why you consider you are 'vilified'? You can't shout people into submission. You had the nerve the other day to tell me to keep my comments to myself, and yet anyone telling you to do the same would probably receive numerous thumbs downs because you consider you're in the 'popular' gang.
I personally don't care what a persons profession is, I don't respect anyone simply by virtue of what they 'do' but from what they 'are'
I work as a counsellor, I deal with the after effects of child abuse/neglect almost on a daily basis and my growing concern is that somewhere down the line, in twelve or so years, when the McCann twins are old enough, they will go online to read and research about their older sister, and some of the comments that have been made, not only on here, but many other places are going to hurt them unequivocably and I don't think they deserve that. Whatever your feelings are on the McCanns, they are still the twins parents, and the glee with which some of you post your bitter comments is shameful because you're not concerned with anyone but your little gang. Madeleine was betrayed, do we really have to store up a whole lot of spite and bile for her siblings to come across

Answer 3

i dont think everyone villifies those that question the Mccanns for leaving their kids alone. I think peoples main concern was for the wee girl at the time.The longer it goes on the more it seems she wont be returned. I also think that most people are wondering now what will happen to all that money, and is it being spent correctly. I think if they were questioned on return by social services most people would think it right. No one wants to see a child neglected.

Answer 4

Firstly, can't understand anyone hating Social Workers.
Am in total awe for the good that you guys do.
Am not a so-called anti-McCann and i do support their search without bashing their every action & motive.
I hear you on the fact the McCanns need counselling, monitoring & a visit from social workers. Never have i condoned their decision in leaving their babies unattended that night. What i dislike completely is the witch-hunt that dregs up their every single CONSEQUENT action & gesture as something vile & sinister. THIS i believe is wrong & spiteful.

Answer 5

This is what i have always said, when Kate Mcann was a GP in England, she would have had many social/welfare reports put in front of her, i wonder how many of these she as done? on parents who have left there children alone, and what she would have thought on this case if it had happen here in the uk, and to someone else ( we will never know )

Answer 6

What the Mccanns did was terribly wrong and it is only right they should answer to there mistakes , and i agree with the other person whom said it is not right for them to be jetting here there and everywhere with the other two chldren what about there welfare they must be equally as distraught at missing there sister , and god willing although it has been along time the poor little mite does turn up safe and sound , is all we really ask for isnt it .

Answer 7

I am truly baffled by the media coverage and by a number of people who cannot see the parents were neglectful.

Answer 8

I dont know why anyone who dares say anything bad about what the McCanns did gets slated on here. What we speak is only truth and fact. If they did not leave there children wouldn't Madeleine still be around? Would people be so understanding if a child minder looking after their child had left them and something had happened to them? Sure Kate and Gerry are suffering, but I am sure that Madeleine is suffering a lot more through no fault of her own isn't she?

Answer 9

I think I said on here once that in order to assess risk you have to assess the factors that were present in the parenting and are now present. One of those (among many others that we dont know about) is that the mccanns have said publicly that they do not consider that they did anything wrong, that they consider themselves to be responsible parents. I consider that a high risk to their parenting of the twins and the twins's safety.
If there's one thing that is positive out of this tragedy, its that hopefully, people have understood the risks to leaving children unsupervised and unprotected.

Answer 10

I totally agree that is all that is required but the fact that no one has stated clearly that it was wrong - i.e. official and police, etc, makes me really cross - they would in any other case say it was 'foolhardy' to leave babies in such a situation. I doubt anyone would preduct (if it happened) a perv breaking and entering.