graham ovenden sentencing and lord mcalpine

The last paragraph of your post rang so true when. On the first day of my social work training the tutor handed out sheets of A4 paper with 2 identical cartoon pictures, top and bottom.

The cartoons were of a man being strung up by the neck into a large tree surrounded by an angry crowd of adults shaking their fists and shouting abuse.

The caption under the top picture read Social Worker who removed a child from it's parents

The caption under the bottom picture read Social Worker who did not remove a child from it's parents.

Sorry notso I think that was a dreadful, overly dramatic and self-pitying image to give to budding social workers.

A few years ago we desperately needed the help of social workers when my DD was going through an horrific divorce and the children were suffering. I was shocked at the total ineptitude of the local social services department who did not answer letters, or return phone calls when they said they would. In the end we managed, not very well, without any intervention from them.

I mention it because sometimes, like in any other occupation, social workers are just not very good.

Let's face it, most people's view of social workers these days is coloured by the recent high profile cases. I know that might be unfair. Perhaps there are many social workers doing amazing jobs under hugely difficult circumstances, but I'm afraid my mind will never get past the thought of a little boy's dreadful facial cuts and bruises going unobserved because someone lacked the nous to wipe chocolate from his face so he could be seen properly.

As I say, a very emotional way of judging, but what other way is there when it comes to children at risk?

Greatnan wonders why "we all enjoy criticising teachers and socail workers". I would suggest it could be because "everybody is an expert" - or thinks they are, i.e. we have all gone to school and we all live in society.
I know health professionals also suffer from criticism, but usually people are more prepared to accept their professional qualification and experience. Am I being unfair?

Social Workers - that's what comes of typing without the glasses!

You are not being unfair gracesmum. Everyone thinks they could be a social worker, and to a lesser extent, a teacher. Michael Gove is telling us as much with his new fast track social work training programme for graduates, as if all you need is a degree - in any subject. Conversely, we have also been told that all social workers need is common sense, or experience of bringing up their own children (the 'mature mums' suggestion), or 'life experience' (doesn't everyone have that, by dint of being alive? )

It's. a bit like me saying that because I watch Holby City I think I've picked up the rudiments of medicine so I think I could be fast tracked on to a medical degree. As well as which, I already have other skills such as needlework so I'm sure I'd make a good surgeon. Any good summer schools?

I think it would be excellent if more people with good quality degrees became social workers.

I don't disagree with you j08 but I disagree that they should be fast tracked in any way. There are already many social workers with first degrees who went on to do a masters degree in social work, so it's nothing new.

Yes. One can only hope things are improving. I guess the government are desperate to get people with good quality education in place as quickly as poss. The present state of affairs could be seen as warranting such measures.

The worry is if young people stop seeking g uni education because of the fees. Where are we going to get these top quality people from then?

The thing is they have already made social work a graduate only profession and this doesn't seem to ave improved things. Also, there is said to be a national shortage of social workers but new graduates find it very difficult to get jobs. Local authorities are making staff redundant and employing unqualified staff in their place. Does anyone have a plan, or a clue what's going on, because I don't.

Have a clue what's going on, that is. I certainly don't have a plan.

No. I don't have a plan Nightowl. I don't know what the answer is.Let's hope "them at the top" keep trying.

I said 'some people', Gracesmum, not 'all', but otherwise you are spot on.

Making judgements about a whole profession based on a small minority of incompetent (or overworked) people is very unfair. My daughter was almost killed by a surgeon who had butchered another dozen women but I don't conclude that all surgeons are negligent. (Although I do question the ethos that stopped any of his colleagues blowing the whistle.)

Of course you did Greatnan - I really must stop improving on quotations! Sorry!

You are graciously forgiven, Gracesmum!

The image I described had nothing to do with self-pity petallus. It was presented as a description of the extent to which the most well thought through and considered decisions, are likely to be met by opposition.

In all my years of social work, I encountered plenty of fed-up, harrassed & despairing colleagues. I never met one who was self-pitying.

I completely agree with your comment that some social workers, as with other professions, are just not very good. I wasn't very good 100% of the time.

On a car assembly line, most of the tasks are now completed by computerised machines. Production increases and mistakes are virtually eliminated.

Maybe the doctors, nurses, policemen, social workers, probation officers et al of the future will be computerised robots. Then everyone will be consistently good at their jobs

I AM NOT A ROBOT am I?

No Not so. Not robots. But hopefully highly and well educated and qualified. And carefully chosen.

I thought the image put forward at your first lecture was diabolical. It seemed to say "always look out for yourself. Child second. And you can't win anyway"

Well said Notso

Of course you're not a robot Galen! My point is that human beings can never be 100% right, 100% of the time ( although some come pretty close )

Jingle, that image was absolutely NOT portayed as 'always look out for yourself. Child second' .

Your third point about 'you can't win' resonates though....which is why the last para of when's post yesterday at 08.42.17, reminded me of that cartoon image.

When social workers make mistakes they make the headlines [no mention of all the times they get it right]. But, when bankers make mistakes they get bonuses.

Obviously everyone makes mistakes, some get wider publicity than others.

Are some professions immune from criticism? It seems on Gransnet if one dares to question teachers or social workers and their expertise and infallibility on matters that we, as mere mothers/grandmothers/citizens have an opinion, we are dismissed. 'Thinking' we're experts.

I have the upmost regard for people who have chosen to do jobs I couldn't do but sanctification isn't required for those who made other career choices. One only has to bring Sharon Shoesmith to mind to realise that.

There are good and bad in every walk of life and every job is as worthy as the next. Not every banker is evil and not everyone in business is an evil capitalist.

Every job is as worthy as the next.......really?