Plans for orders ignore social work

Government plans to extend its “respect” agenda, including an
increase in parenting orders, have been slammed by social care
leaders.

Plans to give housing officers, antisocial behaviour officers
and schools increased powers to issue parenting orders, announced
by prime minister Tony Blair last week, have been attacked as
ignoring the role of social workers.

British Association of Social Workers professional officer Ruth
Cartwright said: “Are schools, housing and antisocial behaviour
officers the best people to assess family’s needs and decide what
route should be followed? Where do social workers come in?”

BASW also attacked proposals allowing agencies to issue
parenting orders where a child showed a “propensity” for antisocial
behaviour.

Blair went on to announce the creation of a new “respect” unit
headed up by former antisocial behaviour “tsar” Louise Casey.