Well, now we have Modern Matrons, so a Modern Head Social Worker may be just around the corner.

The one blindingly obvious point which stands out is that Sharon Shoesmith had never been a social worker of any size, shape or form, so what the hell she was doing in charge of the social workers is beyond me.

Many moons ago when I first started work I had a nice old fashioned boss who took the view that if I was going to be in charge I had to be able to do everything that my staff could do. So in the 3 months before my ‘proper’ training started I began in the filing room and worked my way up, though fortunately everybody agreed that typing was an arcane art which nobody other than typists could hope to master.

I appreciate that being a social worker is a different order of magnitude to paper shuffling, but I think the priniciple is a good one; Sharon Shoesmith may have been the best thing since sliced bread when it came to schools but she didn’t know where to begin when it came to the dizzying array of specialisms you have outlined. What was worse was that she was so ignorant that she didn’t realise that she was ignorant…

I’d let you be in charge.

Actually, they do have an excuse - they need to get to the golf course.

Please can I be put in charge of the whole shebang and take it back to year zero?

Doctors are pretty rubbish now. We used to have what we referred to as an ‘old horse doctor’ and she’d bash and prod and examine till she found out what was wrong with us and then would tell us to get rest/exercise/stout etc as much as she’d give us some pills.

Now the doctor barely talks, hardly ever examines, mostly thinks you’re fine and only ever hands out pills.

We’re a wealthy area - so they’ve got no excuse.

I’m sorry your Mum’s ill and I hope they can do something for her. x

Elder abuse is terrible - but I think if they live independently and don’t have dementia or learning difficulties - since they’re adults - they need to make a complaint before steps would be taken.

just seen your reply, I agree it should be taken higher, but with Ms. Shoesmiths targets of importance being messed around with……

When animals were removed,before the Duty of Care, the police always had to attend,rung for by the person at the location. I’m not sure if they still have to call them , but why can’t the junior social worker do the same,there is too much redtape, and people usually are very sure of their ground when they do call the police.

But in Baby’ P’s case the doctor should have admitted him to hospital instead of saying he was cranky -toddlers are usually happy/content, if they cry and are miserable its worth finding out why, and a full on tantrum is recognisable by anyone

I don’t blame your mother for refusing more tests. My mother would never have anything done and she died at 95 still cussing and cursing the doctors! She insisted that once they start they don’t stop… I’m beginning to agree with her.

We haven’t got a full diagnosis, she’s refusing more tests, can’t blame her really she has also had cancer twice in the past decade and is thoroughly pee’d off with being poorly

Think we are all agreed that Sharon Shoesmith should be removed from her job, perhaps being made of stone she could join the bankers?

But this govt tie the wrong hands,and pay the wrong people, so it is a full roots and branch and trunk need felling.

Targets and costs should be minimised in importance, and more people effectively trained and employed where it really counts

Because they can be as helpless and vulnerable to abuse as are young babies.

The old girl in question is my mother, just getting dressed by herself she bruises, any knock by say a book or a knitting needle and she bleeds. She got stuck in the bath for an hour (she lives alone) her legs were black and blue and her arms and a huge bruise on her chest ( she has a shower now).
If we help her up out of a chair or bed her elbows bruise and are painful for weeks, its agreed that she propels herself around to minimise contact.Her doctor listens to her chest on her back, not her chest as its covered in little ring marks from the stethoscope.

This is what social workers are up against

She has osteoporosis, and a pre cancer skin condition caused by falling asleep whilst sunbathing 20 years ago in Australia

we seem to be - as a society - so much more willing to bang on and do something about the really unimportant stuff (Jonathan Ross for example) and yet when it comes to a child’s life, everyone sits on the sidelines and watches….

I’d call a doctor. And if that one was useless I’d get another doctor. And if I thought she was being attacked I’d tell the social workers or the police.

Why an elderly lady????

Its possible that this person did do her duty, but management failed her, its a known fact since Victoria Climbie that young inexperienced people are working with the families and can be easily intimidated.

Its only to easy for us to condemn from the safety our keyboards, we were not there, would we be so brave with some hulking bastard threatening us?

be fair, that is at post mortem.
But on a living fully clothed seated child, with lying cruel shits for parent/guardians….

I’m not saying the system is perfect, but your clear 20/20 vision is only occurring after post mortem and not even having been present.Or knowing of the child’s existence.

The child had a father who hadn’t been near for months, he failed him too.

There does need to be an enquiry , and less Govt nitpicking in the form of excessive paperwork, more protection for social workers, they do get threatened by abusive parents, and attacked also.

Now tell me this, what would you do with an elderly lady who is constantly covered in bruises and wounds which won’t heal