As reported in community care 12/08/10 on pg 9 the goverment have closed contact point today and Tim Loughton, children's minister, made the comments that it was not computer databases but social workers that could save vulnerable children.
I would like to point out to him that he WOULD be correct IF social workers had computer systems that were workable and effective. Maybe if the goverment had spent the £235 million pounds more wisely than on a database which was barely used (lets say on social workers to staff our understaffed departments?) We might stand a chance of doing the work we all want to do, which apparently he thinks we can do on a very small budget, fewer staff than departments should have and higher caseloads than managable.
Tim Loughton's comments make me SO angry because social work recieves a bad enough press already, is this only me or does anyone else agree?
Sorry but I completely disagree with your comments, the reason that Contact point was underused was because it was still in the process of rolling out to partner agencies and the LA, a massive amount of work was taking place regarding the link up of existing databases, and ensure that the quality of data was appropriate.
In addition the current data bases that are used by LA's are not from central government they are from private organisations which respond to tenders of LA's so it is not the governments fault regarding rubbish systems but the companies themselves.
Inaddition I completely agree with the view that databases don't protect children, as somebody that sits on SCR's I believe that it is the actions of not only Social workers but all professionals that protects children and a database is no substitute for picking up the phone and talking to your partners. Safeguarding children is everyone responsibility and it frustrates me that professionals and the public alike believe that there is a quick fix! There is not, just work together seek common understanding to the issues and everyone get of their seat and be accountable for safeguarding opposed to passing the buck!