Social workers can be requested by the court to give thier professional opinion, (this is not the same has an expert witness.)You are being asked for your professional view has a professional who holds case responsibility and can evidence the information/decision making.

Therefore having good understand, training and advise from your legal representative of the court process is a must and may limit surprise.

Everything as a knock on effect.It also takes everyone working together.Does it not?

These are based on my experiences.

SELF CARE in this profession is important.Belivie in your strengths and who you are. As with any profession you may face unacceptable behaviour, self doubts, inequality little or no positive reinforcement for the work, commitments you may have made,you may be made to feel/told you do not have the skills and knowledge because of assumptions made. You know your own capabilities.Belivie you are not the only one experiencing these doubts.

We all have the right to express our opinions.We all have the right to respect and dignity regardless of who you are.

Just think how the children we work with may feel.

“Be strong but not rude, be kind but not weak, be humble but not timed, be proud but not arrogant.”

The whole system needs to change with all taking responsibility for the professions development going forward.Do we not?

Social workers do not work in isolation!!!

Take so long? SWE have been laying out their ‘standards’, including on anti-discriminatory practice from day one. Of course saying and doing are different things and whether SWE, BASW or ‘leaders’ articulate their “commitment to ADP” in polite liberal language or, within social work definitions, raged revolutionary rhetoric, the reality is that actual change is forever in the future. If you want to be an empowering social worker willing to forfeit your own professional privileges, put your career on the line to defy your management to have justice, anti-racism and anti-discrimination embedded into your practice you can be that social worker. You don’t need any ‘leader’ or regulator or independent professional membership organisation to give you permission. Otherwise it’s just more waffle isn’t it?

All may not be what it appears on the surface and or what someone in a better position may claime.Therefore there should be clear transparency on all levels for all.

Things need to change and taken serviously on all levels and implemented if the profession is to demonstrate to the public and those whom we trained to protect.

We should remember Social Work is a PROFESSIONAL service due to the complexities of the work, and the fact we intervine in children and families emotions and life. Something I belive we have loss sight of.

My comments are based on my experiences and observations.

When you speak up you are victimised or you are told that you are not fit for practice.

Who would they believe, a registered sw or a student sw?

Inorder to provide professional, robust support and plans Social Workers must have support and time to develop skills to work with agencys, technology, different communities and parents if all children and vulnerable service users are to recieve a fair and equal service.

Social work child protection involves court proceedings which may involve public law proceedings( initiated by the local authority following significant concerns for a child )or private law proceedings (when a relationship comes to an end and involves children where there may be contact issues and or possible Safeguarding issues).

Social work pratice requires knowledge of s37 s7 s47 s27 Children Act 1989 proceedings all of which requires other agency’s involvement such as Health,Education,Care Trust to support social workers in carrying out thier dutys when investigating and Safeguarding Children outside of the authorty.(Section 27 requires other authortys to offer support and assistance )

The courts can instruct the local authorty to initiate s37 or s7 reports, the local authorty must comply to the direction of the court.A Family Court Adviser may request the courts to instruct the local authorty to investigate a child’s situation if they belivie and can evidence that a child is at significant harm.

Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 is initiated to decide whether the local authorty needs to take action and what actions. Section 7 of the Children Act 1989 requires the local authorty to investigate whether a child is or may suffer signicant harm.The local authorty can initiate section 37 care proceedings subject to evidence the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

Following it’s investigation the local authorty may request the court grant No Order,Care Order,Supervision Order or Family Assistant Order (Public law Case’s)

Social workers give evidence on a professional basis,the statement belongs to the social worker therefore knowing your case is important,being involved in all discussions is inportant,understanding why and how you have come to the decisions made is important.

Recording your reflection,analysts and outcome of disscussions/meetings which have taken place is important as this will support how you have come to this decision, it will also be helpful as your notes will be part of your evidence and will trigger your thought process.Therefore recordings need to be accurate and up to date to support you,however our notes are also available for everyone to read,therefore how and what you record is inportant.How you present yourself in court is inportant, we are there as professionals who should present formal behaviour at all times,letting your guard down in informal conversations outside of the court room can be used against you in cross -examination.

Safeguarding of children is a fundamental requirement of social work which will require legal intervention (not all intervention will require proceedings).To support social workers regular training should be a must.

Attending court is intimidating for all concerned it is not uncommon for anyone to feel anxious after all it is a court of law, one where inportant diisscussions and decisions will take place.Being prepared, knowing your case as much as possible can be helpful as this may reduce anxiety and self-doubt.During cross examination listen to the questions you are being asked, if the question’s are confusing you can ask for clarification.Cross examination can be intimidating that is what the baristers are trained to do.Therefore be prepared.

This is based on my experiences.