Any social workers out there that could explain WHY? Re Dreadful case reagarding 17 month old

[Doobydoo]

Are there any social workers out there that can explain how something like this can happen?
How does the system operate?
What can be done to make it better?

Oh FGS, thread number 572 hidden...

Sorry for spelling on OP.Just can't understand it...in typing frenzy.

Good.Feck off

"how something like this can happen"

gaaaahhhh

because some parents are very good at hiding things.

I want to know this too. Infact I want to see Peter case notes and what information was recorded after each of the 60 visits. I know that will never happen.

I am absolutely disgusted that despite repeated visits, being cared for by a family friend and now we learn that even depite whistleblowing, Peter died. The official who did nothing are as guilty for his death as his mother, stepfather and the lodger in my opinion.

Feck off yourself (until MNHQ fix "threads I'm On" you can still see hidden ones).

I read that the little boy was in a certain state of distree when a healthcare proffessional visited.I am interested to know how the system works.If a child is on the at risk register there are obviously concerned and presumably social workers are trained to bear in mind that parents may be 'good at hiding things'

Saggy, why the fark do you want to see a kid who you have no connection with's records? Are you going to examine every poor soul's records and fix it? Do you know something about human nature and society that the rest of us are missing?
Jeez, I am SICK of these bloody threads.

Actually.I am interested in how the system works.I will go and find out for myself.With a few exceptions Mumsnet has become full of people trying to censor things they don't agree with.What a crock of poo.

You are mistaking debate for censorship.

I have to agree with those questioning the need to know everything, every gory detail
As if the horrific details publicised already are not enough to make you understand a systems limitations and failures.
Knowing what was done at or after each professionals visit will not bring the wee fellow back.

A broader discussion with non specific case reference would be a better way to identify SS issues.

Yes Piffle.I agree.That is,in retrospect what I mean.Question raised as a result of this case.But do agree with you.And I don't want to know gory details.Read something on here which I wish I hadn't as I have managed to avoid the gory details.

Nickytwotimes, of course I don't know anything more than anybody else.

I suppose I am just outraged that this poor little mite was let down by so many people so many times, that I can't possibly believe not one of the social workers etc involved didn't slip up. I don't believe a word from the spokespeople that no one was at fault. I suppose I want proof of this (but know that we will never get that).

I don't know why but I do feel that children like Peter have had to live their shitty awful lives and the least I can do is learn about them, lobby the necessary people and light a candle. I am sorry you are sick of these threads, I am sick of hearing that Social Services have messed up again.

JUST as guilty. Come off it Saggy..a mother kills her child and yet its the social services fault? Get some perspective.

Nickytwotimes.I can assure you I am not mistaking debate for censorship.I do know the difference.

My perspective is fine thank you. Of course Social Services aren't murderers like his parents but their failure to act contributed to his death. Social Services are responsible for looked after children, that is their job.

Believe it or not it's really difficult to have a child 'taken' from you by social services nowadays...the parents will always be given the benefit of the doubt in many cases. The fact is social workers have to follow protocols....they cant just wade in and taken children away. Social workers cant be blamed for this tragedy as in some situations they're powerless.

Dooby - I have something slightly helpful relating to your op. I was speaking to a child protection social worker friend and she said that it is very hard to get everything authorised to remove a child from the home. Far harder than people suspect perhaps. That there were obviously many professionals involved in this case and many differing opinions as to what was going on. She also said that sometimes solicitors acting for parents are able to find loopholes in procedures or things not done to the letter which enable them to overturn the process. I don't know if any of these things are pertinant to what happened in this case of course.

To those of you who object to the thread - what is your problem? Doobydoo place it in the correct topic - and outlined her question in the title. If you don't want to read it then don't but I am completely sick of reading posts from people who seem to think they have to like or approve of every post here. This was a crap situation with a tragic outcome. Wanting to talk about what happened here is a valid response. If you don't want to debate that issue then stay out of the thread. I don't want to talk about farking chickens so I stay off those threads. It's really quite simple!

Fivedollarshake.I thought they must be mired in red tape.That is one job I am glad I don't do.It must be totally awful.Surely the laws etc need to be looked at.

i cant believe so much blame is being put on social workers, they didnt kill this child. in fact if you want to start a witch hunt what about grandparents? biological father of the child? other members of the family? why didnt they do anything? these cases are not as simple as just pointing a finger and blaming a social worker. of course there will be an inquiry into what happened but sacking aload of social workers wont bring this little boy back and it will put loads of other kids in danger.

Thankyou hor that Northernlurker!It is a truly awful situation.I am glad I didn't choose social work[I nearly did]I know there are loads of positive things happening too.We just don't hear about that.

Agree nancy.I just wondered how the system operates and what social workers tought was positive about the system and what could be changed.

A Social Worker was sacked in the case of Victoria Climbie (or was a scapegoat) and history has repeated itself so, no, I don't believe that is the answer.

But Vesre Kamel obviously felt the recommendations following Victoria Climbies death weren't being carried out enough to blow the whistle. What DID go wrong? Why has it happened again? Why has Victoria Climbie died in vain?

But the catalogue of injuries, when looked at as a whole OR in isolation, are so shocking, and so OBVIOUSLY not accidental, that if the social workers genuinely were not allowed to remove this child again (he had already spent time away from his carers and had been sent back, ffs) then the system is shite and needs a MASSIVE overhaul.
I am not going to pinpoint a particular injury because it's upsetting enough to have it in my head, never mind reminding anyone else, but there is NO WAY at least 2 of them could have been accidental. If children are allowed to remain with carers with injuries such as these, then the system is fucked up.

Instead of going mental about non-comparative trivia such as Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, I would prefer it if there was a huge public outcry about something worthwhile, leading to a proper overhaul of all systems and procedures, proper budgets for training and some common sense restored to this profession.

Social Workers aren't miracle workers, though. It would be as worthwhile to criticize police for not catching all criminals or something. It can't be done.

They have limited resources, an overwhelming caseload, and the most terrifying burden of responsibility. If they come up against human beings who are devious and twisted enough to abuse their own defenseless child and cover it up, I'm afraid it's absolutely inevitable that they will miss it sometimes.