Children's social services, complaints of misconduct / intimidation
4 February 2012
Dear Kent County Council,
I would like, under the Freedom of Information Act for information
on action taken when a Children’s social worker who persistently
fails in the following. Complaints to the GSCC and LGO have been
exhausted. All have failed to acknowledge evidence, or take into
account the law, what would the next steps be in the following
questions?
1. Failing to follow public law, even when pointed out to them they
are in breach of the law and some examples of their actions listed
below.
a. Act beyond their powers.
b. Ignore relevant information.
c. Fail to undertake a sufficient enquiry.
d. Mislead professionals.
e. Clearly showing biasness towards one parent.
f. Not informing a parent what the case is against them.
g. Not taking into account evidence or factors which he or she was
not aware of.
h. Not allowing the individual to put his or her case forward.
i. Not giving the individual the facilities to put his or her case
forward.
j. Refusing to hear evidence that may have led to a different
decision.
k. Denying access to relevant documents.
l. Holding a hearing in the absence of the individual when they had
good reason for not being able to attend.
m. Changing the time / date / location of a hearing and failing to
inform the individual or failing to notify the individual of the
time and place of the hearing that would lead to the decision being
taken.
n. Record keeping being grossly inaccurate, cheery picking
evidence, falsifying evidence.
o. Social Workers attempt to cover up mistakes that they or other
team members have made in the past.
p. Bullying or intimidating a service user with the removal of
their children to remain silent on social services past mistakes,
making complaints or highlighting any of the above.
2. Failing to follow the Children’s Act, even when pointed out to
them they are in breach of the law and some examples of their
actions listed below.
a. Failing to put the best interests of the child first.
b. Failing in the due of care towards a child.
c. Ignoring or showing no concerns of either imminent or future
risk towards a child.
d. Ignoring professional advice or concerns.
e. Ignoring parents / family or friend’s advice or concerns
3. If a social worker or social services had, ignored professionals
/ service users and failed in their duty of care to a child and the
risk came to light by another social services, would this be
grounds to instigate a Serious Case Review. Would it be justified
of social services or a social worker to carrying out any of the
items listed in Q1 or Q2 against a service user to keep quiet?
4. What is the next course of action when LA have no concerns,
refuse to satisfactory answer complaints, refuse to look at
evidence.
5. What is the next course of action when GSCC have no concerns,
refuse to satisfactory answer complaints, refuse to look at
evidence.
6. What is the next course of action when LGO have no concerns,
refuse to satisfactory answer complaints, refuse to look at
evidence.
7. What action would be taken if LA refused to act on guidelines /
policy / recommendations by OFSTED, LGO, GSCC.
8. What action would be taken if LA refused to act on guidelines /
policy / recommendations by professionals?
9. Please can you supply statistics for the last 5 years where
concerns or complaints have been raised on a social worker within
your borough (either other staff or service users) for any of the
above? Please supply information on any action taken, outcomes, no
further action or passed to GSCC to investigate. Please give
reasons why.
10. Have any of the social workers, over the last 5, years had two
or more concerns or complaints made against them, as per Q6, from
unrelated service users or staff. By this I mean the individuals
that raised complaints were not related.
11. What course of action would be taken if a social worker refused
to answer emails, or questions?
12. If all service users agreed, would the LA set up a support
group for all service users who have had dealings with social
services. i.e. give out leaflets to service users or inform them of
support network meetings run by other service users. (Similar to
Women’s Aid coffee mornings)
13. We acknowledge that GSCC is responsible for the conduct of a
social worker, but have no authority over social services as a
whole, therefore proving difficult to bring a case of misconduct
over a particular social worker. Please can you tell us who is
responsible for the conduct of social services?
Yours faithfully,
Sheila Hersom
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/childrens_social_services_compla_3#incoming-251905
