November 2009 Archives

New remedies in respect of enhanced CRB disclosures

By Allan Norman on November 18, 2009 8:42 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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allan norman 60.jpg by Allan Norman

One of the first decisions of the new UK Supreme Court L, R (on the application of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] UKSC 3 (29 October 2009) will offer some welcome reprieve to social care workers and would-be social care workers who have discovered the devastating effects of "information disclosed at the Chief Police Officer's discretion" - on an enhanced CRB. There is now a way of fighting back.

The problem

The problem - because there most certainly is one - can be summarised as follows:

  • The use of enhanced CRBs is growing dramatically - nearly 275,000 were issued in 2008-09
  • The Police, if in doubt about the relevance of information, are likely to include it - saying, correctly, that it is for the organisation to whom it is disclosed to make decisions about suitability, not them
  • Employers and agencies are likely to err on the side of caution when an enhanced CRB raises concerns
  • All this has a devastating effect on the 10% or so of applicants in respect of whom enhanced information is disclosed.
Continue reading New remedies in respect of enhanced CRB disclosures.

A tougher GSCC? No thanks!

By Allan Norman on November 10, 2009 6:15 AM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
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allan norman 60.jpg by Allan Norman

You might have thought from the media coverage of the GSCC between its discovery of a backlog of conduct cases and its sacking of its Chief Executive, that its problem was that it wasn't tough enough, and the solution was that in future it would need to be tougher. Neither is the case.

Dame Denise Platt has commented here on the prominence of public protection on the GMC's website, contrasting that with the GSCC's website. I should like to make a different comparison.
Continue reading A tougher GSCC? No thanks!.

'Top social workers' needed to scrutinise child protection

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on November 9, 2009 11:38 AM | No TrackBacks
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ray jones.jpgby Ray Jones, professor of social work, Kingston University and formerly director of social services in Wiltshire

Community Care has been ahead of the game. In a post I contributed in February it was recommended that following the 'Baby Peter' media frenzy which started a year ago this month there should be new performance indicators for children's services (and why not for adult social services as well) focussed on stability and continuity in front-line teams.
Continue reading 'Top social workers' needed to scrutinise child protection.

The GSCC needs reminding of whom it truly should serve

By Adam McCulloch on November 9, 2009 11:30 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Platt-Denise-70.gifby Denise Platt

Log onto the website of the General Medical Council (GMC). Pretty quickly you will read that "we protect patients by dealing firmly and fairly with serious concerns about doctors". The General Teaching Council says: "We work for children through teachers". Now look at the General Social Care Council website - you'll be hard pushed to find the words "protect the public" or any mention of people who use services on its home page or "about us" section.
Continue reading The GSCC needs reminding of whom it truly should serve.

'Don't let professionals tell you they know about parenting'

By Adam McCulloch on November 5, 2009 4:32 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Thumbnail image for Fitzpatrick-Mike-2.gifby Michael Fitzpatrick

I often think it is strange that parents ask me - as a GP - for advice on matters of child-rearing.
It is understandable that parents should seek medical advice about their children's coughs and fevers, even about teething and nappy rashes. But why turn to a doctor for help with sleeping and feeding problems, toilet-training, tantrums and bad behaviour?

Continue reading 'Don't let professionals tell you they know about parenting'.

Neo-liberal values threaten the very existence of social work

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on November 5, 2009 4:00 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Rogowski, Steve web.jpgby Steve Rogowski, a social worker (children and families) with a local authority in NW England

The Social Work Taskforce is due to report later this year but I wonder if it will deal with one of the most fundamental issues. It will come up with (yet another) definition of social work, though whether this will cover why most people come into social work in the first place and thereafter often become so disillusioned is another matter.
Continue reading Neo-liberal values threaten the very existence of social work.

Detention of asylum seeking children is abuse

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on November 4, 2009 11:39 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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by Clare Sambrook, a co-ordinator of citizens' campaign End Child Detention Now

One key feature of government guidance issued this week on how UK Border Agency staff should care for the children they lock up, is  'safer recruitment'. Officers raiding family homes and searching children in their beds will be thoroughly checked, with 'references always taken up'.

That begs the question: just how low were standards until now?
Continue reading Detention of asylum seeking children is abuse.

Politicians should keep out of politics

By Allan Norman on November 3, 2009 8:09 AM | No TrackBacks
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allan norman 60.jpg by Allan Norman

'Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement."' 

A couple of weeks ago, Conservative MPs criticised the Director or Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer QC for speaking out in opposition to Conservative proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act. It wasn't in their power to force his resignation, but that is what the home secretary did when Professor David Nutt spoke out in opposition to Labour policy on drugs last week.

It seems our political masters have a shared view that those in public office should keep out of politics. Indeed, faith leaders should keep out of politics too. So should the royal family. The list goes on.

Which begs the questions, what is there that is not political? And who other than politicians in public life is entitled to an opinion?

Continue reading Politicians should keep out of politics.

National college of social work faces leadership challenge

By Adam McCulloch on November 2, 2009 11:50 AM | No TrackBacks
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Clarke, Nigel web 60.jpgby Nigel Clarke

Two years ago, I was asked by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) if I would chair an independent inquiry into a future professional body for pharmacists. The RPSGB's regulatory function had, arguably, swamped its professional body role, and when the government decided to create a new regulator, a review of what members wanted from their body was sensible.

Continue reading National college of social work faces leadership challenge.
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