Governments slam ‘appalling’ social worker hate site

Creators of UK Social Workers Exposed urged to reconsider their actions and warned that undermining social workers increases risks to children.

By Mithran Samuel on August 31, 2012 in Children, Workforce

The site's Facebook page, which was taken down this week following complaints

Governments across the UK have condemned the “appalling” website that has exposed social workers and other professionals involved in care proceedings.

They urged the creators of UK Social Workers Exposed to reconsider their actions and warned that undermining the work of social workers placed children at risk. The site’s creators claim social workers and other professionals are “stealing” children from families through the child protection system.

The interventions by the Westminster and Scottish governments follows news that employers of social workers named on the site are considering legal action to remove the names, and the decision by Facebook to remove a page set up by the site’s creators following complaints by social workers.

“We rely on our social workers,” said a spokesperson for the UK government’s Department for Education. “Every day they make difficult decisions about to how keep vulnerable children safe, often in very challenging circumstances. Any attempt to undermine their hard work is appalling, and risks the safety of thousands of children.”

“The Scottish government would urge the creators of this site to reconsider their actions,” said a spokesperson for the Holyrood administration. “If a member of the public has a genuine complaint about a social worker, they should speak to their local authority about their concerns.”

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health also backed the role of social workers though it did not comment on UK Social Workers Exposed.

“Social workers do a very challenging job on behalf of society to promote and safeguard the well-being and safety of children and vulnerable adults,” said a spokesperson. “They work in partnership with families and with other professionals and agencies to assess and meet people’s needs.”

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