News

The high profile case of Victoria Climbie has had a negative impact on the public perception of social work and social workers, according to a new survey carried out by NOP on behalf of Community Care, writes Lauren Revans.

The findings, published this week, show that 41 per cent of those polled said that publicity surrounding the case had lowered their opinion of social workers. Only 4 per cent felt it had had a positive impact, and 47 per cent said their opinion remained unchanged.

Victoria was bought to England by her great aunt Marie-Therese Kouao in March 1999. By the time she died in February 2000, she had come into contact with three local authorities, two hospitals and the Metropolitan Police.

Despite concerns of neglect and abuse, Victoria was repeatedly returned to the care of Kouao and her boyfriend Manning, who were convicted of murder and cruelty in January 2001 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

During the criminal trial of Kouao and Manning, Haringey social worker Lisa Arthurworrey was singled out by the prosecution for criticism and came under intense media scrutiny.

Haringey’s director of social services Anne Bristow told a press conference at the end of the trial: "As the lead child protection agency, we could have acted to protect this child and accept our responsibility for our failure."

The media has also reported chaotic duty social work systems at Brent and Ealing Councils, following evidence to the public inquiry into Victoria’s death.

Child protection expert Catherine Watkins said she was not surprised that Victoria’s case had had some negative impact, given its focus on social services departments’ failings.

"Often there is criticism of social workers in these inquiries, but what we do not get in the interim is something positive," Watkins said. "People are going to report it – and the public have a right to hear it. But it would be nice if somewhere in the article there was some redress, pointing out that the social workers are not the murderers and that they actually do a lot of good work."