Press release: Stand up for social workers on World Social Work Day

That's the message from the Director of Children's Services at East Sussex County Council, Matt Dunkley, as he repeated calls for better understanding of social work.

Speaking on World Social Work Day (Tuesday, 16 March), Mr Dunkley said: "I want to urge people to have renewed faith and confidence in social workers. The fact is, day in, day out in East Sussex our social workers are making vital judgements and decisions protecting children from harm and supporting families in need. Their work is tough, often complex, and critically important."

But unlike police officers, fire fighters, soldiers, doctors and nurses, their work often goes un-noticed and uncelebrated, he added. In fact, worse than that, a handful of national high-profile mistakes have often led to general negativity and even vilification of social work.

Mr Dunkley said: "I am in no way suggesting that social workers are always right and it is right that mistakes are scrutinised and those responsible for them are held professionally accountable. But the reality is that in the vast majority of cases social workers make the right decisions, the right judgments and do the right thing for families."

And that is no easy task, he added: "In East Sussex this year we will be contacted some 12,000 times by people worried about the welfare of a child. Since the Baby Peter case there has been a huge increase in such referrals. Each of those concerns has to be looked at and a decision has to be made on what to do. That is a huge amount of risk to manage."

Child protection social workers investigate all concerns where they feel children could be at risk of harm. They visit homes, often in the face of aggression and hostility, and have to make judgments on how to support a family, what help they need, or what needs to be done to ensure the safety of a child.

Other social workers work with children in care, fostering and adoption, and children with disabilities. They are working with hundreds of families across the county providing a wide range of support, help and advice to address issues and ensure that children get the chance to grow up in healthy, happy and safe environments where they will have every chance to fulfil their potential.

In the worst child protection cases, consideration has to be given to removing a child for their own safety and protection. But, contrary to general belief, social workers actually have no powers to remove a child – that can only be done by police officers or by court order.

Mr Dunkley said: "There are so many good stories we could tell. The confidential nature of our cases, though, and the need to protect the privacy of those involved means most of the good work has to go uncelebrated publically.

"But I am immensely proud of the social workers in East Sussex and the work they do – I admire their professionalism and their tireless dedication and commitment. I want people to realise that for every negative story, there are thousands of positive ones; children and families who are being helped and supported by social workers and the many children who have a future free from abuse and neglect because of social workers."

It was right, Mr Dunkley said, to highlight and celebrate social work on World Social Work Day. "But my only regret," he added, "is that it's necessary to have a day singled out to highlight their work. Social workers deserve our respect and our thanks all year round."

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