Social Work

This essay shall begin by defining power, then will go on to discuss Marx Weber and Parson’s theories of explanations which will in turn demonstrate how and to whom power is distributed. I shall then go on to discuss how this distribution of power applies to social work and the service users.

Power and powerlessness go hand in hand as to have one the other must exist. As society is not egalitarian and never shall be, there will always be inequalities. These inequalities can be on both personal and structural levels. To enable us to understand power and social work we must firstly understand the theoretical explanation of the distribution of power, privilege, prestige and powerlessness within western society by looking at social divisions, class and their positions within society.

Marx was interested in the theories of economic development, he believed that economy was dominated by agriculture and power was held by the aristocratic landowner, in the period when manufacture was the dominant mode of production which he called the ‘bourgeoisie age’. According to Marx the history of human society past and present, has been that of class struggles. There has always been a subdivision within society into different ranks, where social positions have come into grades. The ‘bourgeoisie age’ has been split into two classes, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Marx defined class in the term of dominant ‘mode of production’ and the position within the social organisation of the means of production, within industrial capitalism it was the bourgeoisie who owns the means of production and as a result exploits the proletariat who sells his labour to the owners of the means of production. The industrial middle class had created an industrial proletariate and the success of the middle class would ensure other classes would slip down into the proletariat, the lower middle class would be excluded from the bourgeoisie as they did not have enough capital to compete, this combined with the immersation of the proletariat to keep costs down was a mechanism , which would create the simple two class structure.

Hence his theory that the labour process the bourgeoisie dominating and controlling the proletariat and a ‘legal and political superstructure (the political system of parliament etc government was neatly characterised as ‘managing the committee of bourgeoisie’ this is how social stratification came about. Marx clearly believed that social stratification is an objective reality, which follows inevitably from the process of economic change.

The welfare state is a result of struggle by working class people to achieve collective benefits within the system and is accepted by capitalists because it maintains the system, which strengthens their wealth. Social workers are thus put in a contradictory position as representatives of the welfare state, they help working class people but whilst doing so maintain the power of the owners of capital.

Weber had a different analysis of the nature of classes, he allows the possibility of a multiplicity of economic classes. He found that as well as the bourgeoisie there were other intermediate groups. Weber would call these ‘status’ groups. Weber suggests members of status groups have certain rights, privileges (or lack of it ) and so on. These create many social classes consisting of people in different occupations, requiring different skills and qualifications, hence, it has been accepted that occupation is used in defining class. According to Weberian theory:

“authority is the legitimate exercise of power, ie the people

whom that power is exercised accept it is legitimate and

therefore recognise it’s authority”

Wiles, M in Power and Social Work Lecture notes

Webers analysis of authority is that of Tradition (customs and practices of a group i.e. the royal family). Charismatic (the possession of leadership often related to religious leaders) and Rational-Legal Authority (institutionalised) this organisation is seen as the distinguishing form of organisation and legitimate authority in industrial society. This authority comes with rights and responsibilities of office when procedures are made and followed by subordinates hence the authority does not come from the individuals or traditions of the office but the responsibilities and procedures are designated within the position itself.

Parsons the functionalist seeks to explain the structure of society, he views society as a system that is made up of a set of inter-connected parts, put together, form a whole. These parts are the institutions of society, the family, education system, political institutions etc, all of which share common goals and together work for balance and consensus and order in society.

Parsons idea was that social groups need and will co-operate with one another therefore becoming interdependent, he finds it difficult to see how members of society could effectively work and co-operate together without social inequalities. The inequalities of power serve to further collective goals based on shared values will benefit members of society and hence integrate rather than divide societies. The ranking of individuals is based on a consensual view of the importance of positions.

Today in western society class differentiation does exist and has an impact on life chances and determines how we live. The inequalities that exist are not only in class and status but also race, gender, age etc, people from these minority groups are often discriminated against and powerless. The majority of service users are those who are living in poverty and as stated in by Becker and MacPherson 1988 indicates service users are likely to be:

‘Old or young, able-bodied or with a special need, an offender, a single parent, an abused child or partner, black or white, service users are more likely to be poor and most likely to be drawn from those sections of the population which enjoy the least status, security and power.’

Adams et al (2002) page 42

Authority is within the hierarchy of organisations, when the authority of one superior is then subordinate to the other. The bureaucracy is about rules set regulations and procedures and in turn promotes functions. Social work has seen the provision and development of new and somewhat complex structures e.g. highly developed and formalised division of labour, extensive hierarchies of command, rules and procedures, transactions are noted and recorded and that of trained officials. These try to combine specialisation with integration and co-ordinated direction whilst providing standardised services to meet the needs of the service users at the same time.

The service users may perceive the social worker as a symbol of power who holds authority from a bureaucratic state. The negative aspect of this perception could be detrimental for the service user as this may hinder communication and co-operation between the service user and the social worker, therefore identification and resolve of the service users difficulty could be adversely delayed.

Although the social worker has a degree of power within their profession, they are governed themselves by state legislation and legitimate authority, they are at times constrained by their agency as to how much power they actually have. If a service user who has been hospitalised and is now on his way to recovery but has physical impairments, therefore, requiring specialist equipment to be installed before he can return home the social worker although seeking to empower the service user cannot do so as constrained due to the lack of his/her agencies financial resources for the necessary equipment hence disempowering the service user.

The agency itself is financed and budgeted by state, this may limit resources that the social worker may eventually offer or not offer the service user. As they work as part of a bureaucratic state they must follow procedures, guidelines and policies whilst striving amongst all this to serve the service users in such a manner as to never lose sight of the fact that they are individuals who have rights that must be respected and to ensure that the service user is empowered.

Conclusion

As social workers we are bound by the government’s legislation on what we can and can not do for these individuals.

The government has made social work a profession hence giving social workers the status then the power. Social workers are conditioned and controlled by the state as social workers are governed by the state to maintain the smooth functioning social order, in my opinion maintains the ‘status quo’ on behalf of the state.

Therefore social workers are in fact in alliance with the state and are instruments of state power who may at times be, themselves tied and bound by the power given to them, as stated by Harris

“Social Workers s power is expressed not just by what they do but by what they are, and they are subject to the very power they are themselves exercising” in Davis ,M (2000) page 28

Social workers may very well find themselves at times in a no win situation whilst they are striving to empower the service user.

Outline the main values issues presented to a social worker by one of the case example given, with reference to the CCETSW statement of Social Work values. Discuss how you would attempt to resolve the issues in line with the CCETSW value position.

Case Study: Ethel, Alan, Marion

In this essay I will be outlining the importance of social work values, by looking at the social work values. I will be focusing on the value issues within the case study which are relavent to the CCETSW’s statement of values, to understand and integerate the values of social work. In the assignment I will try to resolve the arising value issues in the accordance of CCETSW’s statement values as a social worker. In this assignment by using the term’ social work’ it will be refering myself.

In  The meanings “value” are divers and varied. ‘Values’ are a combination of our beliefs, views on which we act upon. Initially, all individuals have some personal values. A social worker has social work values, which are linked with his/her duties and responsibilities. Therefore, the agency also imposes some values on social workers. In some terms social worker’s personal values can conflict or compete with others’ values. As “Values are concerned what’s good and desireable”(Loenberg and Dolgoff 1992, quoted in Meyer and Mattain, 1995:p.51).

The social work is a well know agency and institute, which provides help, support and advice to those people who are deprived, vulnerable and needy such as poor, elderly, women, children etc. The social work services are reliable, confidential, and equally availiable to all individuals and groups. However, the social work is highly criticised to use their power wrongly, for example removeing children and adults from home. On other hand, the occurance of neglegence and abuse in the residential care. We should not forget that it is individual’s act and it is not a fault of all members of institution. Thus to pervent abuse and misuseing of power, a social worker should practice on the basis of CCETSW’s values, rules and regulations and use them as a guidence.

Ethel is 93 years old, which is a fragile age. She may be discriminated and oppressed because of her age as statistics show

Family and society:

As often seen in our society, people’s views about old people are negative. For example they labelled them as ‘burden’ ‘ clumsy’ ‘rages’ ‘slow and lazy’ ‘useless’ ‘fussy’ ‘childish’and even ‘mad’. Ethel’s son, Alan, passed comments ” but that’s old woman for you, isn’t it”? On the other hand, Alan’s wife Marion is reluctant to answer the questions and burst into tears. Alan pays little attention which makes you think Marion is depressed for some reason. Which require assessment and communication to evaluate the situation. “It is also important to “identify, analyse and take action to counter discrimination, racism and disadvantages, inequality and injustice, using strategies appropriate to role and context; and practice in a manner that does not stigmatised or disadvantage either individuals, groups or communities. (CCETSW 1995;P18)

Physical and emotional concerns:

Ethel is fit and healthy for her age but she is may be at risk, (perhaps she is not). But she had bruises and burnt the kettle. In my opinion it is important to assess the situation, circumstances, knowledge of available and existing resources and assistance which is ‘concerned with the enhancement of human well being”, (BASW 1986) “Social workers have a responsibility to relieve and prevent hardship and suffering.” (CCETSW 1996) and “communication to promote opportunities for children, adults, families at risk or in need to function, participate and develop”. (CCETSW 1996; p: 16)

Choices and options:

It is necessary to know about Ethel’s concerns. Social work gives clients ‘respect’, ‘options’, and choices.

The options for client (from available resources) to choose from such as residential homes, care worker, health visitors, community nurse, age concern and others.

As ‘choices available to users are often limited.’ (Nocon, A. et al 1996p: 51) Although ‘case worker have a correspondent duty to respect that right, recognise that need’ (Biestek, P.et al 1950, principle 6) ‘respect their clients as individuals and will seek to ensure that their dignity, individuality, rights and responsibilities shall be safeguarded.'(BASW 1986; 10:ii)

“Regardless of whether they are provided in the home or out side the home,”(Lowy, L.1979; p: 429)

‘However only 5% living in any institution: most elderly people prefer to live with or near their families. Because of lack of community resources Many people are forced out of their homes, but not because the family wishes to be get rid of the older members. (Lowy, L. 1979;p: 65)

Partnership:

It is essential to communicate with the client, family, friends, or other person or authorities (if involve) to work in partnership. In this case Ethal’s son, daughter-in-law or other family, care manager and friends at the day centre and GP (to find out if she have had any sort of injuries or bruises before).

Emotional and Health issues:

It is stated that Ethel is being confused on occasions, and her short- term memory is poor but she can recall her memories from the past, which is clearly a rough and difficult existence. It also has been acknowledged that she was a victim of domestic violence. She used to get beaten by her drunken husband. A programme, broadcasted by Channel 2, showed that 87% of domestic violence victims are women. According to Unison 1 October 1997, new domestic violence legislation in England and Wales came into force under the Family Law Act. While there remain loopholes in the Act. It does not make the civil law simpler and clearer, allow greater protection to more individuals and strengthen the use of powers of arrest. Despite this, a victim can live in trauma of fear and it also psychologically effects the personal abilities and qualities.

It can affect victims for a long- term and blunt their abilities to operate their lives with confidence. And they can see it as a norm of their life, may be Ethel have accepted it as norm that’s why she is not unhappy. In our society, people are hesitate to talk about it, or discus about it in the public or with friends which leave them isolated, alone, scared and helpless. It also develops a sort of sense of guilt. The longer you live in that situation the worst outcomes could be. Ethel described, as she was a victim of domestic violence, is she still a victim? Counselling could be a good solution for her if she requires it. But if she is still a victim of domestic violence (Statistics show that if a woman is being beaten by her husband then it could be possible that it can carry on by her son as he see himself ‘Dominate or head’) then there is a need of ‘family therapy’.

Non-judgemental:

We can’t make judgements about others but for assessment we should consider each and every possibility and chances of risk and inequality. We are concern that personal help (individually and collectively) is offered within an acceptable personal and cultural context to increase the range of choices open to them and power to make decision, including the participation of client in ensuring and defining that the services are appropriate for them. (BASW 1986; 10)

Access to resource: (care, finance, support, and Accessibility)

Ethel’ home looks tidy but are there adequate support, resources and care available? Ethel’s family is living in a rented property and the house is in need of repair. Possibly, the land- lord can arrange to repair the property under the Tenancy Rights. May be Local Authorities can help to provide easy access to and out of home. One more issue, which clicks me, is why Alan took the electricity off! Was it due to financial problems or are they neglecting Ethel. If Ethel needs to get up at night for her needs or she is not having enough sleep then her GP can advice her. Mostly it has seen that the sleeping of the elderly people do change and also getting confused or short-term memory are related to old age. Lowy argues that chronological ageing alone does not account for such changes but, instead, that they are connected with a number of other life’s circumstances. (1979; p: 65)

“Persuading and cajoling of clients can range from the ‘informal’ admission to a psychiatric hospitals to the gentle pressure on an elderly to enter residential care” ( Thomas, & et al.) On the opposite, Tony Novak and Chris Jones (BASW 1993;p: 196) argue that “social workers have found themselves with even few resources to meet the needs of more desperate clients. At the same time social worker has faced increasing criticism and ridicule, not only from the media but also from the state itself, which has challenged its legitimacy and sense of identity”.

Social work is a calling which pushes social change and critical thinking in human connections and the strengthening and liberation of individuals to upgrade wellbeing. Using speculations of human conduct and social frameworks, social work intercedes at the point where individuals cooperate with their surroundings. Standards of human rights and social equity are key to social work. Social work is perceived as an expert calling with a maintainable all Inclusive worth, asters and information establishment.

Over numerous years the social work administrations have given these offices to powerless people which have then empowered the achievement of future eras, transforming undermined broken parts of pop culture Into decently adjusted, utilitarian upbeat Individuals. Social laborers likewise have a basic part In working with people, helping them In taking more control of their lives Just where It Is substantial and suitable.

A social laborer today, ought to be in a perfect world certain, skilled, persevering experts, working nearly in with the administration client, interfaced laborers and other included experts, to help the administration clients attain their objectives in their lives. The primary obligation of the social laborer is to secure the welfare and wellbeing of kids and powerless grown-ups and mental wellbeing administration clients in the groups.

A social laborer should subsequently adjust a comprehensive theology, which intends to completely comprehend and be mindful of whole history and circumstance of the potential administration client/families. Creating a successful vital strategy in helping association with the administration clients, is greatly central to the part, for a finer result. A Social laborer should additionally comprehend and polish the impact of attempting to target time, Join connected learning of the circumstances, aptitudes, worth and likewise show sympathy.

What type of multi-country organization is Body Shop as described in the case? Global? Multinational? International? Other? Please explain and be specific. From the case, The Body Shop is a global company. First of all it is centralized and globally scaled. It dose not make decision or different product in different country. Even though It has company stored and licensed store Its product do not change by different stores. It has local element by setting up a Community Care Department and began talking to franchisees about having every shop commit to a local need, ND supporting it by allowing staff time off to work on the project.

But the influence of charity work came major from it worldwide campaigns such as AIDS complain. Secondly, The Body Shop implement parent strategy. The Body Shop did not advertise, avoided traditional distribution channels, spent as little as possible on packaging, and used product labels to describe Ingredients rather than to make miraculous claims. Its products were based on all-natural Ingredients, and were sold in refillable, recyclable containers. All of these above are its parent company strategy, which is adapted by all the stores across the world.

Lastly the knowledge is developed and retained at the center. The Body Shop parent company would train staff and provide uniformed pamphlets to assist knowledge of the product. However it core competency is not centralization and it did not obtain excessive competitive advantage trough its centralization, The Body Shop Is not an International company yet. In all The Body Shop Is a global company (2) Body Shop had several constituents after going public- employees, customers, the coal community (sees), the environment, shareholders, vendors, franchisees.

Assess how Anita did in serving each of these constituents after going public. Be specific. Its constituents after going public altered from the time The Body Shop Just started. After going public, Its employees are not hired directly by founder herself but her franchises owner. By appointing a head franchisee In each major national market, Rowdier was able to concentrate on the development of new product lines and the company’s global vision, rather than worry about the complexities of administration r personnel management.

Its employee motivation program does not focus on money related award but on vision of the product and the future of the company. For customer The Body Shop continuing target at customer which have sensitive skin and Like the Ideal of natural Ingredients. In local communities after going public The Body Shop did not decrease it local community actives but increase them by creating department of community care. For environment, its strategy is protecting nature and against animal test.

However its image as a company, which against animal test, is no anger that strong, since its first few popular product which are still sold in store are animal tested. In terms of shareholders it seems Like Anita she still perceive the company as Its own company Instead of a public treaded global enterprise. All the venders she did not build up a strong logistical chain. She did stop contract with several factories that against human rights. It is a step for managing venders. Last franchise management strategy is centralized combined with local care.

But main focus and concern are still how to fulfill parent companies strategy. 3) What does Body Shop need to do differently than they had done so far, if anything, to be successful in the U. S. Market? Practically, can any major retailer be successful in the U. S. Market without major advertising expenditures (you can site specific retailers operating in the U. S. Today which do not do much advertising, if any exist). ;l There are several problems in its strategy. First of all, its company heavily focused on different types of campaign that involve politics.

In the US it can be dangerous to business that steps in political filed. People who hold different political belief from your company may boycott your product. You lose potential customers not because you don’t have efficient product but political reasons. For example Chinese student started to boycott The Body Shop because it is funding Tibet independence movement groups. This is not a happy ending for business. Additionally the Anita Rowdier says I have never been able to separate Body Shop values from my own personal values.

However after a certain stage company developed into, the company s not anymore base on the founder’s value it has to adapt company value, which would be beneficial to future development of the company. Further more in order to success in the US market Anita need to a strong legal service team to deal with all kinds of possible legal issues and government regulation issue. Lastly marketing strategy modification is the need to adapt potential new competitors since natural ingredient is the trend right now. In a foreign in order to differentiate The Body Shop Anita need to use marketing campaign to create awareness.

Dealing with challenging behaviour is a high priority for people working in the health and social care sectors. In their day-to-day routines, workers encounter a wide variety of behaviour which can significantly, and adversely, affect the quality of the lives of those involved. It is important, therefore, that learners understand the contexts in which such behaviour occurs in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of the causes and effects of challenging behaviour, and the range of methods used to deal with it.

Health and social care workers are bound by professional codes of ractice and legislation which determine how they must respond in particular situations. Learners must understand these legal frameworks and the outcomes they can have for workers and service users. This unit aims to develop learner knowledge and understanding in these key areas and underpins other units in the qualification. It is essential in terms of preparing learners to get the most from any work experience they undertake.

In order to complete the unit, learners must apply their learning by contributing to the development of a strategy for dealing with challenging behaviour. They will need to consider the skills needed to minimise the effects of challenging behaviour, such as recognising triggers’, and appropriate methods of intervention. This unit enables learners to assess some of the difficulties involved in working in the health and social care sectors. It is suitable for all learners interested in a career in these sectors.

The contemporary society is a rather cruel environment. Those, who are confident, experienced and wealthy, feel at home in it, but there are people who need help adjusting to the existing conditions, and those are social workers who provide them help and support. In my opinion, children are the most vulnerable group, the one that needs the most attention and efforts from the social workers. That is why I am going to work in a school setting after obtaining my MSW degree. Children, adolescents and adults are three different groups, and each of these has its specific needs.

That is, in my opinion, what triggers most of the conflicts in the school setting. The social worker’s goal is to provide an environment at school that would suit the needs of all of these age groups. I also feel it is important that the social worker should provide psychological support to both the students and working personnel, for to help to solve the existing problems, and to inform their clients on the preferable behavioral strategies for to prevent the emergence of similar conflicts in future.

It’s well known that the biggest part of problems students have roots in their family lives. A social worker in a school setting is providing individual and family counseling, for to assist in solving the problem. I feel I am capable of evaluating all of the aspects of problematic situation, of explaining my clients where the problem is, and of advising them on changing their behaviors. Thus, in my opinion, I would be able to cope in a school setting.

It is also that I’m sure that the disabled students should be given an opportunity to get the normal education. Adapting the ordinary schools to the needs of disabled students, and adapting the students to the needs of the schools’ environment is a challenging task. I feel that schoolers are a group that needs most assistance in adapting to the surrounding world. In the same time I know I am able of coping with the tasks this position calls for. I hope I will be able to obtain the degree needed for to reach my goal.

This should not of happened to Peter Connelly – By Jonathan Pinder Born 1st March, 2006, Peter Connelly “Baby P” was only three months old when his natural father walked out after the mother; Tracey Connelly began an affair with Steven Barker, a racist thug obsessed with Nazi memorabilia and pornography. This was the start of the end for such a beautiful little innocent boy! In the world we live in today this should NEVER have happened!

So many things should never have slipped through the net and gone un-noticed. The professionals where the only people that could of saved this poor little boy’s life, they had the words! They had the means! And they had the power to stop this. But instead Fifteen month-old ‘Baby P’ was left to die at the hands of his mother and stepfather because of catastrophic blunders by doctors, police and the same Haringey Borough Council who so disastrously failed to help nine year-old Victoria Climbie ten years earlier.

Rather than resign in shame, doctors and social workers have fallen over each other to blame others and keep their jobs. And so it begins! In November 2006, Tracey Connelly’s new boyfriend, Steven Barker, moved in with her and shortly after the new lover moved into the family home in Finsbury Park, north London, Peter was seen with bruises and scratches on his skin on a visit to his GP Dr Jerome Ikwueke. This is when the excuses and lies began; Tracey Connelly’s excuse was that the boy’s skin ‘bruised easily. But no sooner had Peter visited the Doctors, Peter was taken to Whittington hospital with a head injury, bruising to the bridge of the nose, sternum, right shoulder and buttocks and when Tracey was asked about finger-marks on Peters body, the mother said they were from ‘holding him and throwing him up in the air. ‘(Excuse and lie number 2) She also claimed that Peter, now only 9 months old, liked ‘rough and tumble play’ (Excuse and lie number 3) when she was under police questioning on suspicion of assault.

This is where Haringey social services placed Peter on the ‘at risk’ register and visited the family home to find it filthy and smelling of urine. Is this acceptable for a baby?? Was this question asked?? Yes it was and they came to the conclusion to let Peter stay with Angela Godfrey, a church going therapist and Tracey Connelly’s best friend, instead of a foster carer. Why a friend of the mother who has just been questioned on suspicion of assaulting Peter and who’s house was so filthy? But within just a month, on January 26, 2007, with no decision made on any charge against the mother, Peter was allowed back home!

Mistake 1 and the first of many! On April 9TH, Peter was taken to hospital with a large swelling to his head and bruises to his eyes and cheek. Despite the injuries – which Tracey Connelly claimed were caused by another boy pushing him into a fireplace (Excuse and lie number 4) – doctors focused on treating the boy for possible symptoms of meningitis. While at hospital Tracey Connelly told staff ‘I had been told in March that if there were any more accidental injuries they were going to take him away. ‘ Was this Tracey’s way of asking for help? If so why wasn’t this followed up?

Well it was and social services took no action other than to buy the family a fireguard. A fireguard??? Then on June 1st the social worker made an unannounced visit to the home and found Peter with bruises under the chin and a red line under his eye. Tracey Connelly claimed that another 18 month-old child had hit the boy during a squabble (Excuse and lie number 5). Tracey Connelly was ordered to take him to hospital. An examination by doctors revealed more bruising in 12 different areas of his body including a ‘grip mark’ on his leg. Tracey Connelly was interviewed by police four days later but again released on bail for the second time.

Disregarding the mounting evidence, it was decided jointly by police and social services to allow Peter home on condition his care was supervised by Angela Godfrey. The police officer investigating both assaults, DC Angela Slade, did at first object to returning the child but it was decided there was not enough evidence to start care proceedings. Peter’s condition deteriorated even faster he lost weight and his scalp and ear infections became so bad that the child-minder refused to look after him anymore and his GP only prescribed anti-bacterial cream.

When Peter spent a night with his natural father; he had lost nails on his fingers and toes. On the next visit by social worker during a scheduled visit Tracey Connelly covered up Peter’s bruises with chocolate (Excuse and lie number 6). Why was this happening and still no-one noticed anything and spoke up? Peters Last Chance The last chance to save Peter’s life came on August 1st, when a doctor examined him at the Child Development Clinic in St Anne’s Hospital, Tottenham. The doctor failed to spot his fractured ribs and ignored a series of bruises to his back and legs. Peter may even have already been paralysed y having his back snapped over a hard surface such as an adult knee or cot. When in court the doctor later said ‘He didn’t look any different from any child with a common cold. ‘ The next day, August 2nd, 2007, Tracey Connelly was told the assault investigation against her was being dropped and offered a free trip to the seaside as a treat! Peter spent that evening face down in his cot, wrapped tightly in a blanket ‘like a cocoon’ while his mother and stepfather celebrated. Peter was already dead when Tracey Connelly finally got out of bed at 11am. Good bye Peter. Why didn’t anyone fight for you?

Peter was seen by 28 different social workers, doctors and police officers before he was tortured to death! Whoever is to be blamed, and however the degrees of blame are to be portioned out, the bottom line is that Peter was killed after a horrific 18 month life, during all or most of which he was repeatedly beaten and physically injured by his mother, and her partner, and, perhaps, the lodger. What happened is beyond excusing or excuse-making. Those responsible should be called to account and removed from such work. Everyone from the case workers, to their supervisors, and the doctors and police.

Too many people and too many mistakes. Why did everyone make some many failings? The “devastating” catalogue of failings on the part of Haringey Council, health advisors and police meant that those who highlighted fears were ignored and the obvious signs of abuse went unheeded. It took seven inspectors from Ofsted, the Healthcare Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary just two weeks to produce the report comprising a long list of failings. (See list of failings) But the biggest blow came from the reaction of us, the public who rarely see these types of events and such brutality.

This cut us all to the core. To hear this brutality to such a young little boy was harrowing and devastating and then to hear of all the failings made by the people and authorities that where put in place to help prevent this was disgusting and we all wondered what exactly these people do for a living? For me as a support worker originally from a children’s background and now working with vulnerable adults this made me look more closely at my work and the procedures that where in place to see what changes I could possibly make and to be honest the changes aren’t at ground evel that need to be made, these changes need to come from way up the ladder, from managers up to the MP’s. So where do we go from here? What happened here was horrific but we must move forward. This should never have happened but unfortunately these things do happen and do slip through the net, the only positive thing that will come for this will be new rules and recommendations that are laid out for departments for Children, Schools, Residential children’s homes, other professional’s and families.

The joint area review has brought out a list of recommendations to enable all such parties to ensure that comprehensive and effective safeguarding arrangements for children and young people are established (see attached Recommendations of the joint area review) Also Ed Balls (Children’s Secretary) told MPs that in the light of the Baby P case; “We have tabled three new clauses that will help us to go further towards implementing Lord Laming’s recommendations in this Bill, they will introduce new statutory targets for safeguarding and child protection and require local safeguarding children boards to appoint two members drawn from the local community and to publish an annual report on their effectiveness, But these measures could only go some way to protecting children”. And this is a sad and truthful fact that we will never be able to stop every single death of a child or vulnerable person, despite being known or unknown to social services.

It’s a sad point, but it is not realistic to say that every child murder can be prevented. Child protection is everyone’s business, but things that go on behind closed doors stay there- even when they shouldn’t.! LITTLE ANGEL (BABY P) Bye, bye little angel, So bright and so sweet, You had been here with us, With your heart of love and joy, Now you will rest in peace, No one now will treat you bad. We watch you grow and change, We will remember you always, With every smile on your tiny face. You are so special in every way And we will love you every day.

List of failings found by Ofsted, the Healthcare Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Insufficient oversight of child protection services by Haringey’s councillors and senior officers:

• A managerial failure to ensure all the requirements of the inquiry into Victoria Climbie’s murder in 2000 is met;
• Social workers, health professionals and police do not communicate routinely and consistently;
• A failure to identify children who are at immediate risk of harm;
• Frontline procedures are of inconsistent quality; *Child protection plans are generally poor;
• Record-keeping for case files is inconsistent and often poor;
• An over-reliance on performance data which is not always accurate;
• A failure to speak directly to children at risk;
• Concerns that youngsters suspected of being abused may not have been able to speak up without fear;
• The Serious Case Review into Baby P’s death is inadequate;
• The high turnover of social workers at Haringey Council has resulted in heavy reliance on agency staff, leading to a lack of continuity for children and their families;
• Heavy workloads for social workers, with the true number of children allocated to them not always accurately counted.

The inspectors’ summary to their report may have been written in official jargon but its stark meaning is clear enough. They wrote: “The contribution of local services to improving outcomes for children and young people at risk or requiring safeguarding is inadequate and needs urgent and sustained attention. In other words, vulnerable children in Haringey cannot necessarily rely on the authorities to protect them and Baby P’s death was not just tragic bad luck. Recommendations of the joint area review made the following recommendations that the Department for Children, Schools and Families should provide immediate appropriate support and challenge to the local authority to ensure that comprehensive and effective safeguarding arrangements for children and young people are established.

The Local Authority, working with its partners and in particular health and the police, should:

• improve governance of safeguarding arrangements establish more secure assessment and earlier intervention strategies which ensure that, in all cases where concerns about children are identified, agencies can intervene and assess risks of significant harm to children in a timely manner
• establish more systematic monitoring of the quality of practice ensure that managers and staff at all levels are accountable for casework decisions, and that they draw as necessary on the expertise of partner agencies to inform the decision making process
• take steps to integrate individual service processes and systems across all agencies more effectively
• assure the competence of leadership and management in all areas of children’s services and develop clear and effective accountability structures
• establish rigorous arrangements for management of performance across all agencies, which ensure that the quality of practice is evaluated and reported regularly and reliably, and that accountability for each action is defined and monitored
• make explicit to all staff and elected members the expectations and standards required of front line child protection practice
• establish rigorous procedures to audit and monitor the quality of case files across all partner agencies and ensure processes are in place to deliver improvement
• establish clear procedures and protocols for communication and collaboration between social care, health and police services to support safeguarding of children, and ensure that these are adhered to
• assure the competence of service and team managers in conducting rigorous and evaluative supervision and monitoring of safeguarding practice
• appoint an independent chairperson to the local safeguarding children board (LSCB).

Whilst not a mandatory requirement, it would be good practice for the Local Authority to:

• ensure that all elected members have CRB checks
• ensure that all elected members undertake safeguarding training.