Union call to boost social workers
Councils have been accused by Unison of fuelling suspicion and undermining public confidence in social workers by barring them from speaking out in the media.
On the anniversary of the verdict of those involved in the tragic death of Baby Peter, the union is calling on councils to persuade people to back social workers by promoting their day-to-day work.
Helga Pile, UNISON National Officer for Social Workers, said: “Social workers have nothing to hide. Of course they observe client confidentiality, but they should be allowed to play their part in helping the public understand wheat they do and the pressures they work under.
“But they are gagged from doing so by many councils. That drives a wedge of suspicion between them and the public.”
“Councils could make a real difference by letting the public see what front-line social workers achieve every day.”
The union quotes an anonymous social workers who says: “For me the biggest impact of the baby P case was the very public devaluing of social work generally as a profession.
“This left many social workers, including myself, feeling dispirited, vulnerable and annoyed at the way the work of so many dedicated and skilled practitioners was rendered invisible. This has created a less than positive atmosphere to work in and has led to more children being taken into care.”
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