Picture credit: Gary Brigden
Here’s a lovely way to see out the week. We’ve gathered together some of the best Twitter feedback from the first episode of Channel 4’s new social work series, 15,000 Kids and Counting. Screened last night, the general consensus on Twitter (and our live chat) was that the social workers came across as sensitive, calm and professional, with viewers recognising how tough the job is and how emotionally resilient social workers need to be.
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‘Dear Sajid Javid: please end the inappropriate detention of autistic people and those with learning disabilities’
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What a load of superficial comments!
There is real evidence of social engineering – 26 weeks timescales for parents to turn their lives around before children lose their parents – yes, let’s put children first.
Psychology not accessible to parents in time for them to benefit from it.
Government advised on adoption by Martin Narey – not even a social worker.
What evidence of appropriate intensive support services being available?
Some good elements to the programme but I fely sorry for some of the parents.
I am a 40+ years experienced and Registered social worker as well – also an adopter.
Philip.measures@gmail.com
I agree with Phillip, that while there were some positive aspects to the programme, it also revealed the potentially oppressive nature of the new PLO timescales. We need to actively support parents to access support rather than stipulating a psychotherapy courses which are inaccessible and would take longer than they are proposing. While I agree we need to reduce delays for children and they shouldn’t have to wait forever while their parents change, we need to be fair and transparent before we dispose of their parental rights.
Student Social Worker.
Yes, maybe some of the comments are a little superficial but at least people are talking about social work in a positive way for once. Normally, we’re only in the news when there’s been another child death. The social work profession will need to be a lot more media savvy in future if we are to survive at all.
Like you, I also felt deeply for the parents, who most likely experienced difficulties in their own lives & had been failed by society but the truth is social workers can’t do it all. Difficult decisions have to be made in the long-term interests of children and sadly that means that parents who don’t have the (emotional/intellectual) resources to tackle the ‘system’ will be chewed up and disgarded.
Ultimately, it’s all about politics as usual…