Child Protection
Another review has been ordered into the way Social Services carry out the function of child protection. I have no doubt that there can be improvements in the operating practices of social workers to give them more time with children and less time with paper. This is welcome because so far I do not think the inherent problems have been tackled.
I strongly believe that at the core of any reform should be a change in the legal structure under which all this operates from an adversarial system to an inquisitorial one, of the type generally favoured on the Continent and practiced by Coroners in England. The delicate and emotional nature of family crisis at all levels involving children should not be subjected to the additional strain of a battle between opposing lawyers. Rather it should be subject to painstaking and careful inquiry by properly trained court officers working directly to the investigating Judge.
In this way social workers would have fully trained professional support when investigating suspected cases of child harm, which would be more direct and better suited than the police. Parents under suspicion for whatever reason would not have to fear loss of their children without just cause.
It would be hugely more efficient and cheaper and would release social workers from their investigative responsibility while leaving them with their welfare role. In the end this is what their calling is and where the greatest social need arises.
Thnx for sharing that link… but unfortunately it looks to be down? Anybody have a mirror?