'We ask social workers to operate in conditions most of us know nothing about; to engage with people in desperate need; to make extremely finely balanced ethical and practical judgements; to retain the trust of adults while thinking always of the best interests of children; to navigate bureaucracy and cope with heavy workloads. All the while knowing that if a mistake does occur then their career, indeed their professional status, may be ruined for ever.'And on children being taken into care:
'Children and young people do not encounter disadvantage because they have been in care. They are in care because they have had to be rescued from disadvantage… Understandably, social workers do everything they can to keep families together. And, understandably, they fear being branded child-snatchers, do-gooders or anti-family if they initiate care proceedings. But it is far better if social workers follow their instincts to intervene and rescue rather than acquiesce in abusive or neglectful parenting in the hope things will improve.' (Telegraph.)
Mr Gove is right in most respects. The problem in social work remains the lack of life experience of new entrants to the profession. They are largely leftwing; wet behind the ears; steeped in political correctness and worked into the ground.It is hardly a formula for future success.
