How security guards help keep social workers safe on home visits
One of the most memorable moments in the second episode of BBC Two’s Protecting Our Children programme came less than two minutes in. As Annie Semphill, the Bristol social worker, arrived outside the home of Shaun and Marva, she met with the two security guards who would accompany her on the visit to discuss the couple’s ability to care for their then unborn child.
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The security guards kept resurfacing too. Semphill’s visits to Shaun, who has a history of unpredictable violence, always had a burly, cross-armed guard close by
10 February 2012
Most social workers threatened in past six months
Nearly two-thirds of children's social workers have been threatened by hostile or intimidating parents in the past six months, a survey by Community Care and children's services consultancy Reconstruct of more than 600 workers has found. Many had received multiple threats.
16 November 2011
The impact of hostile parents on social workers
Community Care and Reconstruct's survey of social workers has revealed the full extent of the damage to morale caused by interaction with aggressive service users, writes Judy Cooper
16 November 2011
Councils accused duty of care breach over hostile parents
Councils have been accused of breaching their duty of care to social workers following the results of a Community Care and children's services consultancy Reconstruct survey of more than 600 frontline workers about dealing with hostile and intimidating parents.
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16 November 2011
Social workers want guidelines to help with hostile parents
Children's social workers want national guidelines to help them cope with hostile and intimidating parents, according to a survey carried out by Community Care and Reconstruct.
16 November 2011
Service user's ex-partner threatened to bomb social worker
A man who threatened to kill his ex-partner's social worker by blowing up her office has been given a suspended jail sentence.
27 October 2011
Managers tell support staff that abuse is part of the job
Many social care support workers who are exposed to threats and attacks receive little support from their bosses, according to Unison's survey.
06 October 2011
Social workers struggle with hostile and intimidating parents
Recent serious case reviews have concluded that social workers struggle to deal with hostile and intimidating parents. Jim Wild explains why a national response is needed. Plus, take our survey on the issue to help map the extent of the problem.
03 October 2011
Non-violent resistance to help aggression in young people
The principle of non-violent resistance is being applied to challenge children with conduct problems. Peter Jakob explains how it works
18 February 2011
Stabbed social worker had no warning of death threat
Mental health agencies failed to tell a social worker that mental health patient Graham Burton (pictured) had threatened to kill her shortly before he attacked her with a knife, a report has found.
10 December 2010
Threat to kill social worker triggers Unison call for action
Unison has demanded tougher penalties for people who assault council staff after a man in Wales threatened to kill a social worker and burn down his office.
01 December 2010
Fifth of staff who have suffered violence work in social care
One in five of all workers in Britain who have been signed off after work-related assaults is employed in social care, new figures have revealed. (Picture: Rex)
19 November 2010
How to defuse aggressive situations
A survey of more than 230 social care workers indicated that 101 had never received training in defusing aggressive situations involving service users.
15 October 2010
Managing challenging behaviour in dementia sufferers
Two practitioners, Walter Brennan and
Alison Kingston Miles, advise on how social care professionals can handle challenging behaviour among people with dementia
16 September 2010
Letters to Community Care 20 May 2010
The series of articles in 6 May issue (news, 6 May, p4, www.communitycare.co.uk/violence) are welcome for providing an update on Community Care's No Fear campaign of 1999-2000.
09 September 2010
Facing up to obstructive parents
When a parent wants to interfere with the child safeguarding process social workers can find themselves outmanoeuvred. Molly Garboden reports
10 August 2010
Disabled client refuses to end holiday
None of us relish returning home from an enjoyable holiday, writes Mark Drinkwater, recalling how one disabled client decided not to
16 June 2010
Ray Braithwaite's tips on reducing workplace stress
Freelance trainer Ray Braithwaite (right) offers tips for managers on reducing workplace...
20 May 2010
Neil Gibson: From TV presenter to adult care team leader
When Channel 4's Lonely Planet travel series was sold off to the US, presenter Neil Gibson found himself considering what to do next. Social work didn't seem the obvious choice, but... Vern Pitt reports
21 May 2010
Social workers subject to abuse, threats and violence
Nine out of 10 social workers have been abused, assaulted or threatened with violence while on duty, an exclusive Community Care survey has revealed
05 May 2010
