TV portrayal upsets social work body

The British Association of Social Workers expressed dismay this
week at the portrayal of a social worker in the BBC’s
Eastenders.

About 15 million viewers watched Paul Trueman and his daughter
Eleanor form a relationship after the baby was left on Trueman’s
doorstep earlier this year when her mother, Amy, could not
cope.

But last week, a social worker visited Trueman to inform him that
the mother was now back on her feet and he would be coming to
collect the baby the following day.

“It is disappointing that the social worker was portrayed so
insensitively,” said Ian Johnston, director of BASW. “It is an
influential programme that could affect the views of people who may
need to approach a social worker themselves.”

Johnston said he was concerned that the social worker had not
explained to Trueman any of his rights, which was “good practice”.
The social worker would not act for just one party and would want
to keep the father in the picture, he added.

The BBC defended the programme, insisting that research had been
carried out. A spokesperson said: “The relevant scripts and
storylines have been thoroughly researched at every stage with a
number of experienced social workers.”