Since leaving policing much of my work has focused on intelligence-led safeguarding, inter-professional practice and the multi-agency safeguarding hubs, commonly known as the MASH.
Continue reading Multi-agency safeguarding – a new way of working together
Over the years the social work profession has seen many changes, not just in the way the profession is structured but in law, policy and procedures.
Continue reading The new government needs to play a key part in safeguarding vulnerable children
In times of increasing financial pressure, we must be confident that everything we do is worth doing.
Professor Eileen Munro highlights that there are consequences for families who are drawn unnecessarily into the net for a statutory intervention, ‘for these families, the experience ranges from unpleasant to highly traumatic, sometimes leaving them with a fear of asking for help in the future.…It is important to remember that the search for accuracy comes with a human cost that is borne by a child and parent (Munro 2nd Report).
Continue reading Supporting practitioners across agencies is key for the new political era
Recently, Prime Minister David Cameron proposed a threat to jail social workers and other public servants for ‘failing to protect’ children. These plans were supported by the Labour Party, with Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Home Secretary, reportedly saying Mr Cameron’s plans did not go far enough. Moreover, what is most troubling about Mr Cameron’s proposals are his comments about the protection of children and the compromise to safety.
It is critical that the next government defines what we should expect of social workers working with our most vulnerable children, young people and families.
The five main political parties in England and Wales revealed their manifestos in April outlining plans for the country if elected on 7 May 2015. Unfortunately, the collective manifestos were hardly bursting at the seams with social care and social work-related policy; there was precious little written on ‘social work’ or ‘social workers’, for example.
Continue reading It is time that we stand up for social workers