Social Service?

For the last thirty years, that I am aware of, the Social Services have been under pressure. 

The need for new recruits to the service had been slow, if not 'snails-pace'. Yet, let's not misunderstand, who would want to be a Social Worker?

They are worked, with hands tied, expected to be legal experts (their superiors in fear of legal challenges) and virtually hated by many of their clients. 

Why should these commited and genuine agents of the less fortunate receive such derision?

The quickest answer is, they shouldn't. 

These social front-line workers are genuine (in the most part) individuals, who work long, unsocial hours, for little return and even less support from their own departments. Too many new Social Workers are expected to do their job but not to become too familiar with the clients they are trying to support. The thinking is that if they become "friends" with their wards, they will be exploited and potentially left in a legal minefield. 

If these invaluable Social Officers are denied the ability to strike up "friendships" with the people they are expected to help, how can it be expected for the Social system to be "trusted" to do the right thing. Trust is the key value between individuals and without it there is no thoroughfare to a positive end. 

It is time for Social Workers to receive the outstanding support and financial commitment that is absolutely necessary for them to help children and unfortunate persons, who find themselves in a negative situation. Without adequate (at least) investment in this service we will continue to receive the service that is paid for, rather than the one we expect. 

Genuine, commited social supporters are to be valued. They are the frontline and expected to assure our children are protected, sheltered and saved from death. If they are not given the support to give us the service we expect, how are we to save the youngest, and oldest in our communities. 

The latest sadness and tradgedy that has been see, in the last years, could have been avoided. This, not by better Social Workers but by better management which shows no fear of legal challenge and greater and more understanding towards the work of social work, by the public. 

Without a dramatic turn-around in public opinion, we will continue to see tragic ends to vulnerable persons. We cannot have social protection on the cheap. Social Workers must be allowed time to become "friends" to the people they are responsible for and then we WILL see a surge in their status in society, and a subsequent rise in the safety of those in need of protection. Without friendship, society becomes insensitive and suspicious and trust becomes contempt. 

We are all "social workers" and have a responsibility to those in need of protection within our communities. We all could become vulnerable at any time and require help from Social Services. Every part of government, and society should accept that to have the best protection, we have to have a requisit investment in the "front line" to be content in the knowledge that we are, indeed, safe. 

Admin.