Star Hobson verdict in

[Lougle]

Savannah Brockhill Guilty of murder. Frankie Smith Guilty of causing or allowing death.

But many people have them and treat them badly. And people don't always intend to have them.

I didn't intend to work in physics, but still had to study it at school.

I think if it comes to a situation where people are killing children through terrible parenting, or through seeing bad role models in their own parents, then we need to have it in schools as a subject. Very few people know for sure that they don't want a baby at that age. I'm sick and tired of seeing in my working life, parents who simply cannot treat their kids well. Kids bringing up their siblings while their parents go out. Coming to school unkempt and uncared for, and abused and neglected. It is so very very common. We need to act.

Parents who can't be bothered with their children wouldn't go to free evening classes.

Parents who can't be bothered with their children wouldn't go to free evening classes

Some of them might if they were offered a carrot (payment per class attended) or a stick (cuts to benefits if they did not)

Bit of an assumption there with the sick comment
So shit parents are on benefits
Bloody hell
I've known some utterly awful very affluent parents and some awesome parents living on low incomes
What a twatty sweeping judgement

Stick not sick

@sixpencenonethepoorer

A lot of “shit parents” - your phrase, not one I would ever use - are on benefits. That is a fact.

Many inadequate parents are not on benefits. That is also a fact.

I try to avoid using phrases like “shit parents” and “ twatty” as I feel they are not constructive and detract from sensible debate.

And I stand by my original statement that “some parents” who cannot be bothered with their children would attend parenting classes if offered a carrot (payment) or a stick (withdrawal of benefits). Look at the Danish experience.

You

[quote HeatonGrove]@sixpencenonethepoorer

A lot of “shit parents” - your phrase, not one I would ever use - are on benefits. That is a fact.

Many inadequate parents are not on benefits. That is also a fact.

I try to avoid using phrases like “shit parents” and “ twatty” as I feel they are not constructive and detract from sensible debate.

And I stand by my original statement that “some parents” who cannot be bothered with their children would attend parenting classes if offered a carrot (payment) or a stick (withdrawal of benefits). Look at the Danish experience.

You[/quote]
Did you mean to quote me? I've never said anything about either shit parents or benefits.

And I wouldn't!

@HeatonGrove as it goes I agree with most (but not all) of your points. I've seen hundreds of these instances throughout my working life. Many on benefits - but very many not!

However, not a single reference to "shit parents" made. Nor the word "twatty".

I think you'll find that was @Hobnobswantshernameback

@sixpencenonethepoorer

Sorry

[quote HeatonGrove]@sixpencenonethepoorer

Sorry [/quote]

@sixpencenonethepoorer

Absolutely. Massive caseloads of tragic cases.

We need to educate on how to raise a child - why isn't it up there as a core subject alongside (or instead of!) English and maths?! And i said that as an educator of 25 years. It's possibly the most important lesson to learn.

Why are 'academic' subjects still seen as the most important in our society. Many kids have terrible role models as parents, and go on to parent their own children the same appalling way. As we have seen this week!

I completely agree.

Try working as a social worker and trying to get police to routinely accompany you. Too many people have no idea of the reality.

I completely understand the fear of problematic individuals but if you're scared as an adult, then something probably isn't right at home. If you think an adult is prone to violence or threats that's a balding signal that the case should remain open at the very least, so it can be revisited when an escort is available

@nuttybranhare

Try working as a social worker and trying to get police to routinely accompany you. Too many people have no idea of the reality.

I completely understand the fear of problematic individuals but if you're scared as an adult, then something probably isn't right at home. If you think an adult is prone to violence or threats that's a balding signal that the case should remain open at the very least, so it can be revisited when an escort is available

This 1000000 times!

@nuttybranhare

Try working as a social worker and trying to get police to routinely accompany you. Too many people have no idea of the reality.

I completely understand the fear of problematic individuals but if you're scared as an adult, then something probably isn't right at home. If you think an adult is prone to violence or threats that's a balding signal that the case should remain open at the very least, so it can be revisited when an escort is available

And when you have to visit every week, or more often? How many police officers do you think are happy to basically spend half their week following a social worker around?

You’ll see in my post if you read it all that I’ve acknowledged if I’m scared, I always think about what must it be like for a child to live there. But that doesn’t take away from the reality that police are not available to routinely visit with social workers. If I waited until an officer was available, it could take weeks. So as a front line social worker I would have to walk into a house where violent people actively hate me and want to harm me, by myself. Regularly. Daily.

People need to stop commenting on things they have no experience of. “Just take a police officer” indeed.

How could stars step mum access parenting courses??
Seems like she had a speficic upbringing?
Wanted star to be tough??

@ColinRobinson

All I said was the case shouldn't be closed in such cases, I acknowledged police have shortages. In circumstances where an escort is needed, home life might not be great. Close the case and yours either no right to intervene. You disagree and think these cases should be dismissed?

I lone work in the community with offenders/the homeless/single people/couples/families.

Some are incredibly dangerous, I have a panic alarm, that's it. No escort no other person. But I still enter the property and try and speak to/support them.

I've had needles laced with blood Bourne viruses startegically placed in sofas, I've had death threats, I've had household items thrown at me including a glass bottle.

But I still go, whilst I understand it can be intimidating to go and you are always aware of your exit, don't sit on soft surfaces, never get yourself cornered. It's my job I accept those risks. Being afraid of someone isn't a reason to not fullfil your job surely?

[quote nuttybranhare]@ColinRobinson

All I said was the case shouldn't be closed in such cases, I acknowledged police have shortages. In circumstances where an escort is needed, home life might not be great. Close the case and yours either no right to intervene. You disagree and think these cases should be dismissed?[/quote]
No of course not and I don’t think anyones suggested they should. Clearly that isn’t what happened for Star anyway as police did visit, I was just pointing out the reality of assisted visits in the face of yet more posters dictating what they think social workers can and should do without any knowledge of the reality.

@CoedenNadolig

I lone work in the community with offenders/the homeless/single people/couples/families.

Some are incredibly dangerous, I have a panic alarm, that's it. No escort no other person. But I still enter the property and try and speak to/support them.

I've had needles laced with blood Bourne viruses startegically placed in sofas, I've had death threats, I've had household items thrown at me including a glass bottle.

But I still go, whilst I understand it can be intimidating to go and you are always aware of your exit, don't sit on soft surfaces, never get yourself cornered. It's my job I accept those risks. Being afraid of someone isn't a reason to not fullfil your job surely?

And again, I’ve been very clear I do go. As do all social workers, even if it is frightening or threatening. I’ve never said it’s an excuse to avoid going - in fact if you’re afraid, all the more reason TO go.

But I’m explaining why we can’t just call police and ask them to accompany us, as some people have suggested we should do.

Oh right, apologies. Yes police can't escort you or I every day.

I'm a bit lucky in that I got to know and network with all the PCSO's in the areas I work, and on the odd occasion, I have WhatsApped them if I'm not sure on the service user and they generally (90% of the time) are available to assist/attend.

Coed you are very brave.

It's clear that things need tweaking and work.

There is a misunderstanding of human nature. We can be very obedient when someone just says, do this. Rather than.. I understand why you don't want to be you poor thing..

That bruise on star was assault and parents will never say.. I did it

@Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas

How could stars step mum access parenting courses?? Seems like she had a speficic upbringing? Wanted star to be tough??

She wasn't her stepmother. She didn't even live there. She was casually seeing Star's mother while living with another woman. She was controlling and violent and that poor little girl must've been terrified of her.

@Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas

That bruise on star was assault and parents will never say.. I did it

Of course they won’t. But just imagine how different the outcome would be if the paediatrician who examined Star had said, this bruise is likely the result of an assault. This wasn’t accidental.

Sadly that’s not what happened.

We don't know what info that doctor had at all.