To think (hope) Eastenders portrayal of social services (Lexi & Lola story) is wrong?

[MoonlightShadows]

I am watching it at the moment and am finding the Lexi/Lola storyline quite disturbing, I can't imagine social services really carry on like this and think it's an unfair portrayal.

You were right McPhee proper sobbing tears and dd now out of her basket and back in my arms

Do parents have the right to see all social services records about them?

yes so true wibblywobbler ive had a family that the social worker asked if the dvd they had in the paraents bedroom porn, as they saw a bit of flesh actually it was smallville with supergirl on the cover mistaking it for porn whish isnt iligal to have in a adult bedroom

SoleSource - I should hope not! But as I described somewhere above, the situation I was witness to, the fucking useless SW showed the parents the report anyway, giving the details of the 'complainant' away.

perception "Also that recent thread on here where a child was taken because of a bruise??" if you followed that thread carefully you would have seen that there was a great deal more going on and the "bruise" was suspected to be an adult bite mark.

Assuming its the same thread I read.

Sole In theory, I think they do, yes. But I'm pretty sure that SS have the right to censor some of the material if they decide it would not be in the best interests of people to see it, or if it might inflame a situation.

I was brought up in care, and went to read through my file some years ago (as an adult). There was so much censored, because it was information about my mother that I wasn't allowed to read. Made me a bit since she's been dead since I was 12.

yes SoleSource the parent can ask for the files as part of the data protection act of 1998 everyone has free right to get them for free. what you say is im requesting my files within the data protection act of 1998 and then you show them your documents to prove your you and then they have 40 days to comply otherwise they are breaking the data protection act

you cant get third party information but anything socail services right you can see, so anything the health visitor or school says if they want it quiet they can have it that way

Eastender could of redeemed themselves by pursuing the best intrest of Scarlet. Father is not coping and her mum has vanished into thin air.

I think you can access information once you are 18 (maybe 16?) but they will censor anything about anyone else involved due to data protection.

santais it is wrong about micheal but no one is reporting him and if they dont it wont get found out but because lola is already been in care so billy have socail they are aware of the situation but i would never put social on my worst enemy

Ok thank you for answering:) would be intetesting. My DS is disabled and we have had disability SW. They have been good but very judgey at times.

that is the thing you need to get a social worker who understands disablites as some are quite young not saying they are bad but they dont have kids or understand except from a text book so you always have the right to request a social worker who understands i do have to say tho word of causion, they want you to carry on with what your doing when they visit dont feel the need to be polite and talk with them they want to see you in a normal enviroment also be formal with them, any kind of negative emotion to them is a bad sign just ask and talk about formal things they ask dont talk about your past or give them amunition sounds bad what im saying but if you do as they ask and be formal they will be gone in 3 months tops

My DS SW likes to sit and chat. We talk about everything. I think she feels I do a good jov and I have not seen her since February. I called her. She is coming out this Tuesday. She said she doesn't like to bother me much.

She seems a lovely Lady but I cannot help being chatty and friendly. Being formal with her would be strange. I feel sge deserves a warm welcome abd a chat. Maybe Iam wrong and the next SW we get I should be more formal and less open.

yes i know what you mean but i have talked to a protection social worker and he told me off the record they like to see you doing things not to sit and chat but if you have a good conection and you can ask questions you get a good answer out of them the sw will be fine, a change in sw is worrying unless it to be put on a lower level they should keep the same worker otherwise you have to get to know them all again, jusdt make sure they have a note pad and pen for convos as they cant do it of memory with so many cases if they dont have one you right it down and ask if this informations is correct as they can write stuff you didnt say (not saying all sw are bad depends on situations)

thats the problem the family i new had you think your being nice but they accused there family of not socialising with the kids and when they ignored the social and iteracted with the kids they got good reports

For those saying about the actress that plays Lola -do you remember the Jamie Oliver programme a couple of years ago -Jamies Dream School or whatever it was called for troubled youngsters? Well she was the girl that got stuck into the biology lessons and impressed Jamie and the tutors.
From there she started drama school I think.

i feel a change of topic happening :P

Sorry! But a few people in the thread had asked if it was her first acting job!

I have never been under SS's radar for bad parenting etc etc. But my Mum is a foster carer, and has her own (who is fabulous) and experienced many many others.
One thing EE is quite accurate about is the fact that the social workers change a lot. Awful when you think that one person may be the only stability the child has when moving to and from homes, and spending time with them.

However, many of the social workers I met and was around, were very warm and friendly, and were there to support as best they can. Many would have started on the washing up, not stand there tutting.

My partner (he doesn't usually watch EE) said today angrily 'why doesn't (Michael) get investigated by social services?!'
We all know why don't we? Suppose it's also another fairly accurate approach by EE... reflecting on stereotypes.

I am absolutely disgusted with the BBC and Eastenders producers for running this inaccurate and damning portrayal of social workers. I'm a CP social worker myself and our job is difficult enough as it is without soap operas buying into and reinforcing the negative spin that has been whipped up by the media over the years. Lola's social worker is completely unrealistic and is a caricature of what may be perceived by some people about social workers. I really believe it is harmful for the BBC to be broadcasting this inaccurate representation of social work as it is likely to heighten fear in those who may need support and as a result prevent families in need from engaging and receiving help and advice which will equip them in caring for their children. Believe it or not, social workers want parents to succeed. Eastenders really need to conduct far more comprehensive research and take more responsibility for the consequences of the backlash that their storylines may create.

Gets people chatting and dispelling myths. bBC are good at that.

I am also a CP SW and i am annoyed at the portrayal of services.

Most annoying is the ommission of Lola having her own SW from the 'Leaving Care Team', who would have accessed funding for her, which would have meant that she wouldn't have had to find work, or do Community Service whilst recovering from giving birth.

What Lola was allowed to do was illegal, as the Community Service Supervisor knew that she had given birth within a short space of time.

Why they stated that Billy losing his job was any cause for concern, was another issue that i have.

The mentioned team meeting would have had to have been attended by Lola.

In fact i could write a few paragraphs about each time we have seen a SW on the screen.

Lola would have a whole package put together by the LCT, seperate to the CP plan that Lexie is on.

sadly i know of familys that have gone through this, a really good friend has them on her back at the mo and they are trying to get the kids,they have told her the baby will be adpoted if they get them :( they give her a list of things to do she does them and they find other faults 7 months now shes been jumping through hoops.
a friends sister had her kids removed yes she did wrong but she got herself sorted they gave 2 of the kids back to the dad who use to beat her up,younest went to his dad who then while lo was in the car beat his g/f and even now 9 years later shes still fighting to get him back out of care,ss wanted him to be adopted but never got that far thank god yet when she went to them when her dd had been abused by a neighbour ss didnt want to know!

Lola is a very caring, loving Mother. I was surprised.