I work in a child protection initial assessment team for the local authority and have never worked anywhere were so many workers are so demoralised.  There is endemic bullying by managers and nothing has been done despite numerous complaints to the group manager.  Workers are leaving in droves leaving the rest of us with a totally unmanageable case load. When work is not completed - the worker is blamed.  Apart from anything, we are not properly safeguarding children.  I don't wish to leave like but would like to see improvements and don't know what to do next.

Are you a member of a union alib? Are you colleagues? If not then join one (maybe CareSpace users can recommend one??), and if you are then speak to your union representative about the situation. It sounds dreadful, particularly for your clients.

I am a member of my union and am taking up things that directly affect me through the proper procedures supported by them.  However, history shows that things improve for the person who complains loudest for a short time but overall there is no improvement.  What I find particularly distressing is that many good social workers don't bother complaining, they just leave.  They also then go to other local authorities and talk of how bad things are which makes it more difficult for new staff to be recruited as our reputation decreases even further.  We were supposed to have 2 new senior pracs start this week and neither turned up and another member of staff has handed in her notice today!

Contact your MP and ask them to forward your letter to each of the children's ministers [ Labour, conservative and libdem]

Also come to ' Believe in me' 25 Sept at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre and join a group of people who are working for positive change. Tickets available very soon.

alib:

I am a member of my union and am taking up things that directly affect me through the proper procedures supported by them.  However, history shows that things improve for the person who complains loudest for a short time but overall there is no improvement.  What I find particularly distressing is that many good social workers don't bother complaining, they just leave.  They also then go to other local authorities and talk of how bad things are which makes it more difficult for new staff to be recruited as our reputation decreases even further.  We were supposed to have 2 new senior pracs start this week and neither turned up and another member of staff has handed in her notice today!

That's so disheartening alib, especially when your local authority has gone to the trouble of recruiting the two new senior practitioners. Do you know why they didn't turn up? Were they ill or have they rejected the job offer.

 I agree, is an employer has a poor reputation then word does spread - regardless of what industry it is.

i think i can deduce where you work alib, and if i am right, it is in a terrible state. managements answer is reconfiguation and relocation of the whole authority's children's social care dept, without consultation with staff.

 I am leaving as well!

It would appear that the solution to me being bullied is to move me to another supervisor.  I have taken this offer as it will make my life a lot more bearable. However, it doesn't address the larger issue of morale and staff leaving.

alib:

It would appear that the solution to me being bullied is to move me to another supervisor.  I have taken this offer as it will make my life a lot more bearable. However, it doesn't address the larger issue of morale and staff leaving.

Moving to another superviser, while not helping tackle the overall issue of moral and retention, will help you alib. And right now it sounds like that's the most important thing you can do for yourself. Good luck!