Open Letter to the Chief Social Worker

For the attention of Isabelle Trowler:

Since taking up your post I assume your mind has been exercised by the failings of social workers revealed in recent Serious Case Reviews. As a retired social worker with 30 years experience I have been writing about these problems for many years. I am particularly concerned about the chronic problems in children's services and am pleased that you have been appointed to provide leadership for the profession.

The recent Serious Case Reviews into Daniel Pelka, Keanu Williams and Child T in Haringey found problems in carrying out section 47 enquiries and this has been a recurring problem in many previous Serious Case Reviews. In my opinion, the social work task has been distorted by a misunderstanding, or deliberate misreading, of the law and in England's worst performing authorities this could pose a danger for children at risk of significant harm.

What is needed is improved arrangements for carrying out section 47s and staff training to ensure the work is of a high professional standard.

Some of my concerns are:

- Across the whole of the UK much social work practice in this area lacks urgency and rigour. In some cases social work practice is so slipshod and dangerous that it may even amount to a failure to comply with the law.

- Often there has been no clarity about whether a section 47 investigation has been carried out. Managers do not record their decision to instigate this and social workers are confused about the difference between this and safeguarding work.

Some of these problems reflect the difficulties in responding to urgent referrals which need to be dealt with by experienced staff. This is particularly a problem in those authorities which suffer high staff turnover and unremitting pressures of work.

The social work profession has much practice wisdom in this area and many authorities carry out investigations with sensitivity and respect and in a proportionate and lawful manner. They know that the competence with which a section 47 investigation is handled will crucially influence the effectiveness of subsequent work.

Urgent attention should be given to the need to strengthen management oversight of section 47 enquiries and improve staff training to ensure all staff understand the meaning of the term 'significant harm' and how to recognise it.

Authorities also need to ensure there is sufficient capacity in long-term teams to offer families under stress with low standards of parenting the help they need and to keep them under surveillance. This requires a stronger focus on the development of social work skills in work with children on a child protection plan and in comprehensive risk assessments. Essentially, it requires an organisational culture which values child protection work as highly as preventative work.

I hope you find this helpful.

Best wishes,

Hilary Searing