by Daniel Lombard

"Why is everyone [in social care] so polite?" asks Barry Sheerman, whose job as the head of a leading parliamentary committee is to be anything but.

As chairman of the children, schools and families committee, Sheerman is not shy in challenging the perceived wisdom of political leaders. (For example, he had no problem in leading a backbench revolt against Gordon Brown, the leader of his own party, last month.)

The outspoken MP came face-to-face with the great and the good of social care during the committee's latest inquiry.

Concerned and looking for answers as to the parlous state of children's social work training, the chairman was horrified at the collective timidity of the witnesses.

Read the complete post at http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/social-work-blog/2009/07/social-work-has-a-radical-frie.html