Whilst we all need the people who cannot do this work to be removed from the front-line, I find that all social workers feel that they are a hair's breadth away from disaster. This feeling is due to high caseloads and electronic systems that drive the work, rather than supporting it. Even the really good, competent people are scared these days.
Apparently, Birmingham's Director has said these SW's were not involved in the Khyra Ishaq case. He also said that 120 (of 750) SW posts were currently filled by agency staff.
Did you guys see that the sackings included management as well? Check it out --
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/19/114091/birmingham-childrens-services-sackings-included-managers.htm
he was not very dynamic, blaming social workers again
Crispycakes
I watched the Midlands Today news programme this evening and was amazed to see the Director of Birmingham Social Services Childrens Department and a colleague walking towards what appeared to be Aston Social Services Area Office with a bunch of flowers to give to staff. He came across as so unprofessional and quite insulting to social workers. As a social worker of well over 20 years I considered that his behaviour was entirely inappropriate in the circumstances. To be honest I think he and his highly paid consultant who is not that smart and giving him poor advice should be forced out of their jobs. It was unbeleivable and Social Workers do not need that kind of second rate management. I hope the departments social worker with the support of Unison have a vote of no confidence in their Director and walk out in protest.
He was also formerly the Director in Sandwell and if you read their latest OFSTED Report he left that Authority in a terrible state with Safeguarding being assessed as unsatisfactory! Still, failure brings its own rewards in social work!!!!!!!!!!!!
None of the s/w sacked in Birmingham were child protection workers or had anything to do with the Khyra Ishaq case - two of them were sacked for criminal offences outside work and one for not registering with the GSCC!
Union disputes 'misleading' sacking of Birmingham social workers
According to Unison, it looks as if only one of these social workers was involved in children's services - 'fostering and adoption'. The point has already been made that most of these social workers were sacked for issues NOT related to direct work with children.
Once again
But these s/w were not from children and families teams ... or so it seems.
True ... but why is the public misled to believe that these are children and families social workers? It seems that 5 of them where not according to Unison.
Very poor media-handling from Birmingham's Director. Or perhaps he was delibertely playing to the tabloids.
Either way, perhaps he should be sacked.
Bee: True ... but why is the public misled to believe that these are children and families social workers? It seems that 5 of them where not according to Unison.
Presumably because after such massive highlighted failures of Birmingham's child protection services in recent years, it makes them be seen to be doing something- which in media and public opinion terms is often more important and usually a lot easier and quicker to achieve than actually doing something.
Mr Tucker has the potential to destroy Birmingham Social Services - they employed these workers so they have the right to fire them but only if all the correct procedures and processes have been followed. Would you want to work for him if his management style is to go public and rubbish the staff? Were all the staff fully employed or were some agency workers?
One thing is for sure - none were managers!!!
Anyway - more to the point, would it not be wiser to await the Serious Case Review before going on a witch-hunt? In the case of Kyra there is also the role of Education and their rights to intervene when Home Schooling' is being undertaken - how can a System allow such a mother to home-educate? If adequate checks and regular monitoring - including seeing the child - can not be undertaken then there is a need for a major legislative change.
Social workers need evidence to demand to see children and if this is refused that evidence would need to be accepted in Court if an Application for a Child Assessment Order was made.