Shall we clear a few things up . . . ?

Question

About child abuse, child neglect and child protection?
I will take time out from my essay writing as I feel the need to share some information and do a bit of community education (YA community that is!!)

but firstly I would like to take the opportunity to thank those people who posted messages of support answering 'I have no names's' recent posts (too many of you to mention!). Don't worry - I am used to it and the attitude does not bother me in the slightest. It just reminds me how different the perspective on issues can be if you do not know the facts (and rely on the daily mail for information)

Social workers do not 'kill' children

They also cannot always prevent abuse occuring - this is beacuse, unlike agencies like the police, they cannot go around in cars and on foot patrol 'looking' for abuse. They rely on information given to them by way of referrals. They can only protect children they are aware of . . .

cont

ANYONE can refer to social services
which means we ALL have a responsibility to protect children from harm whether it be from direct abuse or from neglect which could lead to harm.

TEACHERS
DOCTORS
POLICE
NURSES
HEALTH VISITORS
YOUTH WORKERS
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
ANYONE WHO COMES INTO CONTACT WITH CHILDREN!!

can and should do this.

I am not trying to suggest for one minute that mistakes are not made, it is the same in any profession (10% of the NHS budget for example is tied up in cases of medical negligence) but that does not make it right. This issue is compounded when it involves peoples lives - especially children

People who abuse children are excellent at covering it up and avoiding contact with the relevant authorites - victoria was moved from borough to bourough and saw lots of professionals from various agencies - she did this becuause her 'carers' (I use that term loosely) knew they were abusing the child and wanted to hide it.

cont . . .

In the media, you will never hear of cases where children have been protected by the authorities because a) it is a breach of privacy, confidentiality and human rights and b) it simply is not considered newsworthy
but trust me - it happens EVERYDAY!

I know some fantastic social workers working in child protection - two in particular come to mind and I will be working with them during my next placement. I also know some useless social workers who need to change profession quicklly - there is absolutely no room for laziness, ignorance and oblivion in this field. (incidentally do you know how hhard it is to 'sack' an incompetant social worker) maybe we should have a look at employment laws?

It is a difficult and thankless job and those who criticise the profession should think very carefully about doing so - would you do it? Would you be any better at it? Would you like to come to work with me one day to see what it is like from the other side?

We also cannot remove children 'willy nilly' so anyone who think that can be done is sorely mistaken. I wish we could.
I worked with a boy whose case had striking similarities to victoria (in the possession and witchcraft sense) it took AGES to get him into care because of a lack of evidence for the police and courts. Even after he removed there was not enough evidence to prosecute his 'carers' and since he has been in care - his life outcomes are far worse (he is now involved in the youth justice system). I am not saying he should have stayed at home but our care system is appalling also and cannot contain the multiple issues it is faced with.

BTW
I am not a 'child protection' social worker
My background is youth justice, I am currently working in adult mental health though there is an obvious child protection link in both.
I will also be working in domestic abuse and child protection prior to qualifying and returning (probably) to my senior youth justice post as they have paid me to do my course ;-)

Hi thanks Saturn
it's not a DipSW they don't exist anymore - methinks you know one of the social workers you speak of? Its a masters (MSW) I finish next summer.

Answer 1

To all you who are slagging off the questioneer's oppinion of her profession and of the current system the Social Workers abide by: shame on you! She is completely entitled to her opinion and if you think that is wrong where is the harm in saying so respectively because it's just childish to start having a go at someone for an oppinion they're rightfully entitled to.

I agree that "Social workers do not 'kill' children" and to blame a worker for this is just daft I mean why people are at it, It's as much the fault of the next door neighbour who never said anything or the relatives who pretended it wasn't real isn't it? I think so!

You can tell me that I'm wrong if you like but that is my opinion and I've every right to think it especially as one of the lucky kids rescued by decent social workers from an abusive step-father. I am aware that not everyone is so lucky and yes some workers make terrible mistakes but don't damn everyone of them for the mistakes of a few. After all is every policemen nice, is every solicitor selfish and is every doctor good? No!

Answer 2

WELL SAID!!! I couldn't agree with you more. The job of a social work is hard and emotional and what ever they do, it should always be in the best intrest of the child and sometimes even the child fails to understand that. In a perfect world there would be no need for social services and protection registers, but we don't live in a perfect world and we do need social workers who, when the job is done and a child is helped, we never hear of that, just when they miss a child and the worst happens, then its all over the media. It is a very delicate balance about what they know is happening and what they can prove is happening, and bear that in mind the next time you slag off social services. Their hands are tied, its the laws that need changing so they can do their job better and stop these loose cannons from having children when they can not look after them properly. I would love to see a new law brought in where EVERY new parent takes up parenting classes before the baby is born and at least they know what they are letting themselves in for. Not all babies are text book cases and perfect, not all parents sail through the next 18 years without problems, and not all parents adore their children and some do, sadly abuse their kids and this needs to be addressed. The problem is that the social services can only be made aware of a problem if someone informs them of it, and sometimes that doesn't happen, and when it does, then it is only what evidence they have to do something about it. It is not always so clear cut, and so easy to do. I feel for the kids out there who are abused and no one knows, i wish that we did live in a perfect world and kids were allowed to be kids without being hurt anymore. Its so wrong.

Answer 3

I think what you may need to bear in mind is that some of the posters on here may have been social workers for some time, say since 1980, they may of been Team Managers and worked in several London boroughs.
They may not agree with all you say and having done the job you are still training to do be in a better position to see the failings of social Services in general.
Just a thought.
Good luck with DipSW, when do you finish ?

Answer 4

Thanks for this, prompted responses from both sides. You are right that you cant take kids away from their parents 'willy nilly' but im a bit worried when you said you wished you could?!? I think i know what you mean though. Social services are always living on the edge, a mistake either way in many cases can mean either a) a child staying with an abusive family or b) a child taken away from caring parents who by circumstance look suspicious.
I feel a lot of sympathy but while social services do a hard job, when massive mistakes are made you cant just say oh well we got that one wrong, oops

Answer 5

I think it's really great your doing this. I think when people complain, I interpret it as a desire to be involved instead of everything taken out of their hands. As people get more sophisticated they are more and more better able to handle situations themselves and this, viewed as a desire to be more responsible, should have some outlet not entirely under government control. People don't seem to know how to get organized, but once started there are citizens who do. After all citizens managed to create the government in the first place and it's now gotten out of hand. So often scientists argue over grants and ego and arguing is the language of science instead of reason. If leaders so often sell out for power and money, we have to take it back and the system doesn't need protection but reform. Citizens have to shoulder things as their responsibility and not someone else's. Freedom has a price. We are transitioning and a shakeup is inevitable and has it's disadvantages. I see criticism as a force to be used, harnessed and directed and even that will have to be citizen led as professionals are overwhelmed. It could be a win win situation. it seems like accussers and to some extent defenders, by using constructive word could work out solutions rather then getting and adrehnaline high which we seem so addicted to. There is plenty of free information on the web to help everyone get a grip. The problem seems to be a lot emotional intelligence on which there is plenty of informtation. Science tells us that the average person is three emotionally. That explains a lot and may be the core problem. It's hard to think without a cool head. Children raising children it seems. It's not about the blame game but looking at and sharing solutions by mature individuals at any age.

Answer 6

My daughter and son-n-law were put thru HELL by the "official" DHS agency here in Oregon. ALL on a rumor by some crack wh I have, their vile, suggestive(sexy things to do with you) and her I sat saying stuff like "don't just give it away" and that "teen boys think with their penis". Stupid naive me didn't figure it out till after I was done. This "angel" tried like hell to turn me into a "predator". To me all this is BULLSH Yes, there's nasty people out there. But I don't think there's a pedophile hiding under every bed and in every basement.

Lol, sorry. Had to share this fiasco with you.

Answer 7

i agree with you not so long ago a baby was murdered in our area social services were involved when they visited the family every thing was normal no bruises on the child clean house and 2 parents that looked like they were loving towards there baby,the social services shut the case as they could not find anything,
some times they fail children but if the parents are acting normal and not raising suspicions when the social services come round how can you blame them

Answer 8

anyone that insults you is a fool as they do not know you personally or professionally, i hope you have many successes in your career, i feel the problem and i'm sure you'll agree that there is too much red tape and paperwork and too much interference from the human rights act which protects the rights of the scum of this world. i am thinking of going into social work myself i'm starting a degree in heath and social care soon, would be grateful if you could email me and let me know what it involves and how you are doing good luck barbie, ignore the morons xx

Answer 9

Keep up the good work Barbie! Very informative and interesting. There are bad apples in every profession but one can't throw out the baby with the bath water. Have you visited any of Mother Teresa's orphanages? The nuns are few but their dedication & unconditional love is something you won't find in most state run homes. Its 'cos theirs is a vocation...a vocation to love. Now, social workers like you who have a heart & who sincerely care for the welfare of children are in a vocation too. Its those who become social workers just as a profession, and not as a vocation, who fail miserably.

Ihavenoname: i was gentle with you earlier as all you did was point out the other sad case. Not so now as you target Barbie.
If you look beyond that red mist before your eyes which is spite & hate, you'll see that she is letting us know what its like doing the work she does, which is commendable. Would you be a social worker? Do you have the aptitude, intelligence & dedication? Think about it...and change before you turn into a troll. Methinks you have compassion & thats good but don't target people...thats bad.

Answer 10

I'm sure many, many children's lives have been greatly improved by social services' intervention. Of course you (collectively as a profession, not you personally) get it wrong sometimes, but show me a profession that doesn't. I'm sorry you feel you have to defend your profession, and I hope that all the people who have posted negative comments about it never have to rely on help from it.