Things need to change….

I am the partner of someone that committed a sexual offence some years ago; to this day it still has its ups and downs.  Because of my experience I want to support others that find themselves in this position.  Unfortunately I continue to hear stories that make me shudder.

There is a reason I’m laid in bed tonight and decided to write this; it’s because I have found myself tossing and turning about a situation beyond my control where once again social services are at the centre.  The details of that situation are irrelevant in the message I’d like to convey.

I spent 20 years of my career working in different departments of children’s services, in particular child protection.  Over the time I was there it was still always the same issues, problems and mistakes that would happen.  Social workers over worked and underpaid, not even doing the social work that they trained for.  Fire fighting against dangerous caseloads and making decisions based and because of what’s written on paper rather than actually getting to spend time, work with and educate themselves about each family and their needs.   

Social workers then leaving or going off sick due to the demands placed upon them and more often than not failed relationships with families. How is a child or parent meant to build a relationship and trust when there’s no consistency?

What is even social work anymore I ask myself?  Why is it ok to walk into peoples lives having read pieces of paper, judge and make decisions based on few details? After all, in my opinion you can’t define a person through some mistakes they have made, there is much more to us all.

Families get pulled apart and suffer mental health issues; with social workers often uncontactable via email or phone, taking weeks to write up minutes and assessments (much of which are a cut and paste exercise); some not bothering to send them out without constant prompting, and all the while people with feelings and families are left torn apart not knowing where to turn.

For me unfortunately it’s all about ensuring visits are done and put in the system on time - even if that visit was 5 minutes long to ‘a child in need’, reports and plans are written up on time but mostly at the last minute with decisions made or signed off by someone that’s never even met the family; and why, because Ofsted might turn up or because they don’t know what to do so it’s easier to put unnecessary restraints or demands in place to cover themselves?

Don’t get me wrong I did see a lot of good in the time I worked in children’s social care, people that trained to help others, worked extremely hard to do a good job, team players, caring and kind individuals coming up against endless barriers and lack of training and support. Probably having sleepless nights about their caseload and what to do.

Something needs to change, I don’t know how or when but I write this in the hope they will.

If you are a social worker reading this; I hold no malice at all towards you; this isn’t what this blog is about. If anything i admire anyone that trains to be a social worker, my best friend is one.  There were points in my career I was told I should do my training but I just couldn’t because of what I witnessed in the teams I worked in.  However; I would just want to give my advice to anyone that is - keep a safe caseload and say NO to management if you are at capacity. You can only make a difference when you’re at your best and can do the work you want to do; and that is not behind a desk with your head drowned in paperwork, ignoring phone calls, emails of angry, anxious or just inquisitive clients.  NEVER make fast decisions based just on written information; things on paper that can be exaggerated, incorrect or someone else’s opinion that may be nothing like yours.  Go to meet families with an open mind and no pre judgement. Lastly, if you say you’re going to do something - do it!