Utter folly.........

The GSCC have had another bashing from the Care Standards Tribunal (CST) in this case: http://www.carestandardstribunal.gov.uk/Judgments/j1092/ND%20Final%20Approved%20draft%20_3_.pdf

This is very similar to an earlier case where, in Wilt’s opinion, the GSCC are using the suspension procedure used by the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) to cover for delays in their investigation teams. Although the CST have not expressed in that way it is fairly obvious what message they are sending to the GSCC – get your act together.

Community Care reported on the outcome of the GSCC final hearing of its Conduct Committee here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/08/12/115083/Cocaine-user-allowed-to-remain-on-social-care-register.htm although they appear not have linked it to the CST finding (link above). Community Care appear not to report on CST hearings, or at least not routinely – here at Regulator Watch (http://regulatorwatch.co.uk/) we do.

In essence the CST finding that issuing a suspension whilst investigations were made, in this case, was perverse is supported by the GSCC Conduct Committee who issued the Registrant with a two year admonishment – a low level disposal.

So what was the miraculous change that caused the GSCC at one time to suspend the social worker and then issue an admonishment? Might it be they fucked up again at the PPC?

This social worker was represented (at the CST) by the Celtic Knot law firm based in Birmingham http://www.celticknot.org.uk/ and Allan Norman has a blog here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?tag=Allan%20Norman&blog_id=276

And tweets here: http://twitter.com/CelticKnotTweet

We still think he needs a ‘proper’ hair cut – only joking!

Allan Norman and a former student Registrant was not so lucky in this CST appeal: http://www.carestandardstribunal.gov.uk/Judgments/j1091/sass2%20decision.pdf

This is the first time it seems that a former Registrant has complained that the GSCC did not go through the conduct process and arrive at the process – the man must be on something!

This is a most mind boggling and stupid case to bring before the CST. The arguments for bringing it presented by Norman were very carefully constructed and eloquent but nonetheless, in Wilt’s opinion, utter fucking folly.

This is a must read case – I laughed so much I fell of my chair.

Wilt

A bit late..........

I do like this chap (Martin Narey) at Barnardo’s – indeed we like the charity; definitely one of the better ones, in Wilt’s opinion.

However he is a little ‘come lately’ on this subject matter: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10908026

There is a further article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/08/09/115067/children-harmed-by-long-delays-in-family-courts-charity-finds.htm

Wit and others predicted this situation (delays) pre the implementation of the Children Act 1989 – Wilt recalls implementation day on 14^th October 1991; it is etched in his memory. It was a well intentioned Act but by the mid 1990’s it was very, very apparent that it was failing in one of its primary concerns – that delay in making decisions on solutions for children was harmful.

And why?

Well, it is simple – the Act was hailed as the “children’s charter” but it was everything but giving, in practice, ‘paramount’ concern for the child. It transpired a lucrative avenue of income source, in order, for:

i)             Lawyers (especially for parents)

ii)            Children’s Guardians (and their lawyers)

iii)           Expert witnesses who seemed to grow out of the walls

One could not move for lawyers (some simple “fee earners”), Guardians (some of limited credibility and less competence) and so called ‘Experts.’ Some of the experts appeared to be close friends or even relatives or business partners of the Guardian.

And where was the child in all this?

“Who the fuck is the child” we hear cried – “what does it have to do with them” it is exclaimed!”

So, Barnardo’s, where were you in 1995 – its 2010 (15 years later) and you now complain?

A bit late, me thinks but your observations are belatedly welcome.

Wilt

Target list...........

Next on the hit list is Ofsted – see Community Care article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/29/115011/ofsted-to-face-select-committee-inquiry.htm

No news yet of the future of Cafcass but this article might give you a clue that the Government have them in their sights: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/28/114997/cafcass-efficiency-questioned-by-national-audit-office.htm

What will happen to all these people? One suspects the local authority vacancy levels in social care might fall.

Wilt will however not be joining them.

Wilt

Turkey voting for early Xmas.......

The GSCC continue to operate as ‘normal’ pending the transfer in March 2012 to the to be renamed Health Professionals Council http://www.hpc-uk.org/ - or one should say the proposed move in 2012. Many in the Community Care Blog Care Space http://www.communitycare.co.uk/carespace/forums/gscc-to-be-scrapped-health-professionals-8085.aspx#32964 have mixed feelings about it.

The GSCC gives advice on the implications of the recent announcement of their demise here: http://www.gscc.org.uk/Home/ and click on big red “i” icon. In short business as usual – mmmmm.

Meanwhile the GSCC has published a number of recent outcomes from their Conduct Committee. This is a very odd one: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/435BAC0D-2BA8-493F-B815-9DD47CB9FFBC/0/NOTICEOFDECISIONHIBBERTS.pdf

Essentially the GSCC dropped the case after it was unable to convince a local authority manager to give evidence and to proceed without it would amount to hearsay. Now you would think the GSCC would have realised this before taking it to Committee.

The GSCC are in a difficult position because they cannot force either a registrant or witness to attend – they have no teeth in effect. Not helpful. And of course they have no powers over employers and the code of conduct relating to them is not worth the paper they are written on – it’s just a wish list in effect.

Whoever drew up this legislation and the employers codes needs a jolly good lesson in ‘how not to make a balls-up.’

Other recent concluded hearings include this one: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/AA176AF6-7A81-4CB7-8BD5-12FE7E710EA0/0/NOTICEOFDECISIONSIMPSON.pdf

Note the offending behaviour relates to 2008 – either this was part of the backlog or the GSCC were not previously aware of it. The naughty boy was looking at pornography on his employer’s computer.

He was suspended for two years.

Another: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/30BF47BA-8D5E-4B6B-8329-DCE583C46253/0/NOTICEOFDECISIONMAHABIR.pdf resulted in a one year suspension. This did go back to issues between 2004 – 2008 and the GSCC were made aware of his drink-drive conviction of December 2004 (after he was first registered by the GSCC) in, and I find it odd how they term it, “around 19^th November 2008;” either it was or it was not the 19^th November 2008 – what’s with this “around” business?

So exactly what were the GSCC doing between (“around)” the 19^th November 2008 and 21st July 2010?  Not a lot it would seem. The registrant had asked that his GSCC hearing be postponed as he claimed it would prejudice his Employment Tribunal, which it appears is still pending.

And the disposal by way of a one year suspension, is that proportionate especially as he did eventually cough up the details to the GSCC, albeit four years later? Wilt thinks no – far more appropriate would have been an admonishment.

However, the registrant only has himself to blame as he was not in attendance to defend himself or give evidence. With the GSCC that, as a friend would say, is like a turkey voting for an early Christmas.

Each case is worth a read – click on the links above.

The GSCC have published their latest up-coming hearings here: http://www.gscc.org.uk/Conduct/Conduct_hearings/Upcoming_hearings/

Among some interesting ones are:

http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DC31BFE1-A33D-4596-A2C9-F4925B29C6D8/0/SummaryJanjua.pdf

AND:

http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/134F01BD-EEF2-4797-92BD-3F07B424BDA3/0/SummaryNia.pdf

AND

http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F6D734C8-77A7-4D4D-B828-54CA474507A7/0/SummaryHenderson.pdf

Why does the GSCC need to get involved in this matter http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B002178D-48C2-4B2F-ADF0-D1309F474498/0/SummaryNyabunze.pdf one is left to wonder?

Wilt

Pick a number................

Which is worse, a one year suspension or a 5 year admonishment? Does either fit the circumstances applied in each case?

It is difficult to go behind the GSCC Committee on such matters as they are charged with handing down their disposal – albeit subject to potential appeal. See the Community Care article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/23/114970/social-worker-banned-for-offering-client-weekend-of-ecstasy.htm

The formal notice of the GSCC findings is here: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/4DD0DB39-84FE-48C2-8938-42325E89D56A/0/NOTICEOFDECISIONCARNEY.pdf

And here: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/9E64FE17-F80A-4A86-8F24-7536079B13A5/0/CAHILLNoticeofDecision.pdf

Let us start with the latter case, Cahill.

He takes a service user/client down to the pub, touches up her bum and offers to take her away to Paris for a dirty drug filled weekend. What a fucking Dork of the first order. Cahill is suspended for 12 months as it was essentially a one off incident. It was however probably one of the most serious of acts of professional misconduct – a breach of professional boundaries and of trust in his capacity to hold the service users right to self determination and needs as paramount.

Some might think Cahill was quite lucky to get away with just a year suspended.

In contrast, Carney who admitted the offence of harassment and was convicted as such was subsequently admonished for 5 years by the GSCC. Why 5 years for Gawd sake?

There is no doubt it was a serious offence but it was both confined to a particular set of private circumstances (does not reduce its seriousness) and limited to a small number of events. The GSCC acknowledge he was under extreme personal pressure and again emphasise an otherwise long and successful career in social care, plus it did not involve a service user.

The man admitted his offence and regrets his actions. What then, exactly was the purpose of a 5 year admonishment?

His outcome is far worse (Wilt believes) than the year long suspension by Cahill and whose offence (in professional terms at least) is the worse. Yes Carney got it wrong, yes domestic abuse (emotional in this case it seems) is a no go area and highly serious – but 5 year’s admonishment after he admitted his guilt and dealt with by the Courts. Is that proportionate? What exactly was the GSCC thinking it might achieve?

You see Cahill after a year has, as it were, done his time and moves on – there is no mark against his name on the GSCC Register and, we assume, moves on. No one is any the wiser.

Carney however does not serve his term for 5 years – instead he carries the yoke of his GSCC Registration (a public name of shame board) until 2015. We find this very odd.

Most people will experience some crisis in their life, some several and a few many. Social workers, and others, aim to help people out of crisis and hopefully develop the skills to cope with crisis better (crisis intervention theory). Generally speaking, putting a yoke around their neck (labelling – give a dog a bad name) is not the accepted best method to help achieve better outcomes.

Regrettably the GSCC has confused, yet again, ‘outcomes’ with ‘outputs.’

Pick a number, any number between 0 – 5 and you tell me what seems fitting for Carney.

Now tell me what would you hand down to Mrs C for her harassment?  Not for her a one off or limited harassment of one person over a period of eight years, but together with basket case Dune Boy James Plaskitt (ex MP) harassment  IN FACT of numerous persons who by a process of other investigations are proven innocent of any harm to her/him.   Well, we will find out when it gets to Court, with her big black files.

We think Cahill was very fortunate; Carney dealt a very poorly judged disposal and Mrs C/Plaskitt will discover in all good time the meaning of breaking the law.

Wilt

Screw bomber.....

What a fucking twat: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/21/114947/Doncaster-social-services-bomber-jailed.htm

You see social workers are in the eyes of some legitimate targets. This twat joins the ranks of the likes of Mrs C although her brand of terrorism is (to date) a little less physically violent.

What is it of late with these Northerners roaming the towns and countryside with guns and bombs? Now the latter bloke (the “screw” bomber) might have been tipped over the edge, but the two gunmen, and those that support Moat, were/are just fucking evil.

Wilt

No thanks..........

Gulp: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/childrens-services-blog/2010/07/marion-davis-to-gove-dismantle-the-role-of-independent-sws.html

Wilt feels an earlier than planned ‘early retirement’ might be coming on.

Actually Wilt has always believed that local authority social workers are “experts” in their own right (notwithstanding the occasional idiot) but to totally exclude the option of independents (ISW’s) in the Court system would be both unwise and unworkable. As Wilt has said many times on these pages, it is possible to reduce the number of experts and indeed to be more selective when appointing Guardians – and of course getting rid of Cafcass.

Both Guardians and ISW’s can and do make a very significant difference in terms of their much broader and greater experience. Most often ISW’s (Independent Social Workers) save money by shortening proceedings, despite Marion Davis claiming:

"Removing this role from the family justice system would not only contribute to reducing delays in care proceedings, but would also reduce costs."

In fact as Wilt knows only too well, not infrequently ISW’s are brought in by social services because they lack either the resources or skills. Thus excluding ISW’s would cause more delay.

Very often local authority social workers are not given the “status” they rightly deserve and in that sense ISW’s are drafted in on occasions unnecessarily – that is because inevitably birth parents (etc) demand another opinion and Guardians, who should in appropriate cases challenge, fail to resist the instruction of an ISW. Judges depend greatly on their Guardians – who are hopefully rooted into reality. On occasions Wilt has thought that his appointments were unnecessary – the evidence was already there?

On the other hand, ISW’s play a vital role, not just in terms of expertise and to overcome a lack of resources in the local authority, but also because many social workers actually welcome it, and regrettably on occasions because local authorities are quite simply incompetent.

Yes reduce the number of experts, and Guardians can be more robust in this regard, but Marion Davis has, it seems, attacked the ISW outright as a waste of money. That is not very clever, unwise and the next time her authority is looking for an expert they may just say, “No thanks.”

Now where was it Marion Davis works - must add it to the Dork list.

Wilt

Tea leaf...........

One less social worker from the profession: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/114636/disabilities-worker-jailed-for-stealing-19000-from-client.htm and jolly good ridden to him too – just the kind of person the profession does not need.

One wonders how long the GSCC will take to remove him from the register. No rush one supposes but an easy task for the Conduct Team one can imagine.

Wilt

Air Miles..........

It was nice up in North Wales just chilling out after a week overseas working. Weather was brilliant and Salty Dog went for a paddle in the bay. Proper cider, too!

Meanwhile at the House Dave the man did his first PMQs today and absent was various faces from all sides. Particularly notable was the absence of basket case Plaskitt – twat. Cameron did rather well, we think – mind you Harriett Harman as the stand in opposition leader is not exactly a huge challenge.

Of course also absent from the front bench was a certain Mr Laws – otherwise a thieving bastard whatever excuses he might make. There is no doubt though that he is a loss to the Government. His replacement looks like a spotty teenager that lives here in the village – it is probably Wilt just getting older.

In the high pay disclosures why is Wilt not surprised that Behan and that utter fucking Dork Christine Gilbert (Ofsted) are being paid more than the PM: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/01/114622/behan-and-gilbert-among-whitehalls-top-earners.htm

And of course Ofsted and a whole host of quango are up for review, especially Ofsted: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/02/114630/ofsteds-inspection-criteria-to-be-reviewed-by-bureaucracy-tsar.htm

Thinking of going to work in Doncaster: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jun/02/eric-pickles-doncaster-mayor

We suggest not just yet but Wilt will be offering his services to the hit squad sent in by our man Eric.

Wilt is around for a few days before flying off again to his ever growing contract work offshore – and it aint an oil rig. Only a few days away this next time, but various other trips are planned for the summer, autumn and indeed the New Year. Good money too.

The air miles are totting up too - and you know because flights are funded by my contractors, Wilt will use the air miles to obtain free flights for business trips. We do not use such perks to line our own pockets but instead feed it back to the contractor. That is what a reasonable person does. We wonder what MPs do with their air miles?

Who will keep Regulator Watch warm and cosy in my absence? Why of course Mrs C – she keeps visiting several times a day. Obviously she does not have enough to do. More to the point she does not earn her wages and wastes public funds as if they were a bottomless pit.

Well, at least Behan can sleep well at night on his salary and no doubt has fond memories of, nicely, telling Plaskitt and Mrs C to fuck off. We think it was him that signed those rather large cheques paying out compensation to those people Mrs C and Plaskitt harassed. They too sleep very well, comfortably and with a clear conscience – unlike Mrs C.

Life is good for those who work for it.

Wilt

Times are changing.....................

In a matter close to Wilt’s heart (and his wallet) Community Care report on the fiasco with the LSC (Legal Services Commission). See article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/05/114425/lawyers-hit-out-at-court-fee-cap-on-social-workers.htm

Another article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/05/04/114412/cut-in-independent-court-report-fees-imperil-expert-input.htm

This has been going on for months – it’s an effort to restrict the ever growing public law court costs in child care cases. Essentially reducing the costs paid out in expenses to expert witnesses in preparing reports and in giving expert evidence. However it is restricted to reducing the costs of social workers specifically, as distinct from other experts such as psychologists/psychiatrists etc., etc.

Now Wilt, even though this work is the backbone (although not exclusive) of his business, has mixed feelings.

YES, all budgets need cutting back, and in my opinion far too many experts are engaged and not always successfully, Dr David Southall being a prime example http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8661639.stm

But why single out social work experts? Use them less is my answer, not cap their fees – but of course the LSC aint got any control over that.

And it is true, very experienced and competent experts will simply “fade away” and do something else – no doubt the LSC will have factored that scenario into their equation – I would as a business person, managing a budget.

The overall problem lies with the Children Act. The so called “charter for children” (as it was hailed) was nothing remotely resembling anything concerning children or putting their needs as “paramount.” The pecking order is as follows:

i)             Lawyers

ii)            Children’s guardians

iii)           Expert witnesses

iv)           Parents

v)            Children

Court proceedings involving children is big, big money. Utterly hopeless cases are examined to such a degree that is bewildering – however justice has to be done and be seen to be done, but not before the lawyers, guardians and experts have taken their (several) pounds of flesh in fees, and yes sometimes very high fees – you ever seen a poor solicitor?

If the Act is to do justice to children, it needs a massive overhaul. Do not get me wrong, there are some excellent lawyers, very sound guardians, very competent experts and some brilliant magistrates/judges – between them they resolve some highly complex cases, and in others cut through the crap and get to the point.

Expert social workers are sometimes necessary because, we know, some local authorities (not necessarily their social work staff) are utter crap. But folk can we please also recognise some local authority social workers (because of or despite of their organisation) are experts in their own right – yes there are indeed good social workers, and good organisations. It should not, as is common practice, to require an independent social worker to confirm this.

The simple message is – reduce demand on experts and do not cap fees. How that is done?  Change the legislation.

Community Care reported earlier here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/16/114063/court-fees-insult-to-independent-social-workers.htm

Wilt being both an “expert” witness (I prefer the term professional witness) and Independent Children’s Guardian has some insight into these matters. How many social workers, for Gawd sake, does it take to change a light bulb or indeed resolve a court matter – typically there is the local authority social worker (even several in some cases), possibly an “expert” social worker and then a children’s guardian.

Wilt is of limited ability but even he can count – that accounts for a minimum of three, and very possibly more, social workers per case.

There is already an expert in the proceedings – they are called a Children’s Guardian. Does it really need several more social workers?

Wilt

Dark hole..............

According to several reports to Wilt Mrs C has also been busy, talking to the BBC, ITN News and the Mirror Group about her woes. A certain Salop person reported a visit on their website from ITN and the Mirror Group – not by any means by accident. He also reports certain persons in Oxon had similar visits to their website (BBC/ITN) – the person in Salop is disappointed he had no visit from the BBC!

By some very strange coincidence Regulator Watch has had visits from all three! Excellent, we love it. Bring it on.

What fucking story is she now promulgating, apart from “I am a victim” and “people are out to get me”? No doubt she claims she is “misunderstood, misrepresented and people keep saying things about me. I am a solicitor you know”, as she frequently and (FRAUDUENTLY) claims. We like the word “fraud” as it is so synonymous with Mrs C.

Munchausen Syndrome is a serious condition – it means you staying up all night and spending all day on tasks associated with promoting victim status for the sufferer. Never mind fostering, children, family, doing work  or generally having a normal life – in this case Mrs Fax is faxing, emailing, surfing the net, phoning anyone who is willing to hear from her – not many anymore.

She is a spent cause; she is a “dead parrot” in another scenario and a very, very sad case. Very sad indeed, and very desperate! Her health and that of her family, those she is meant to care for her so called career will be suffering, and if she persists will suffer even more as she and her pet (no longer) MP fail consistently to get even a fingernail hold on her desperate, stale and fraudulent claims.

Bully Girl Mrs C is fast becoming a total non-entity. She digging deeper down that dark hole and a hollow voice cries out – “hello!” Sadly no one listens, no one wants to hear her FALSE cries of despair and victimisation. The truth is that all those agencies, press, local authorities, the Milk Marketing Board and quango have now for a long time “sorted” Mrs C into the category of a “minor irritation.”

It is not nice being in a dark hole – it is damp, dark and rather restricted. Putting yourself in that dark hole is just plain stupid. Some people however just cannot help it.

Dit.........dit..........dit.......dot....dot........dot etc., etc there is more news coming in – oooooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrr Mrs C. Did she really do that!? Gawd forbid, Gawd help her.

Wilt

It aint over yet...........

Oh dear, Mrs Shoesmith! And I do mean oh dear because it will be a blow to her and Wilt had hoped (and predicted) she would win this case. Obviously Wilt was wrong, but only technically. Technically the judgement was on a narrow and limited aspect of the case in accordance with the limited scope of the Court to judge.

It is quite clear the Judge was troubled and indicated that the Employment Tribunal would have a much wider brief – and he has indicated where, had he been able, the Tribunal could rightly question Haringey, Ofsted and Ed Ferkin Balls. All the main broadsheets (Guardian, Times & telegraph) reported on the matter as did community care, and in their latest post on the matter summarise where things are left:  http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/27/114382/implications-of-verdict-for-ed-balls-haringey-shoesmith.htm

One correspondent (to Regulator Watch) has also highlighted this article: http://www.clearlyhenderson.co.uk/uncategorized/sharon-shoesmith/

Meanwhile, Brick who has also been away on a break, has posted on Wall this article: http://wallofbrick.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/shoesmith-ofsted-and-the-obligation-of-candour/

One thing I think all are certain about, this is not a closed case. And in a further article: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/27/114367/ofsted-faces-legal-probe-over-shoesmith-case.htm Ofsted aint free of yet further criticism, nor Ed Balls.

Meanwhile, on an unrelated matter Ed Ferkin Balls http://wallofbrick.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/balls-phone/ would rather risk the life of his kids, himself/wife and others by using his phone in the car – utter fucking Dork.

Wilt

tweedledumb and tweedledee ................

BASW are back in the news again: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/21/114332/tim-chittleburgh-seeks-re-election-as-basw-chair.htm

Its chairman is throwing his two pennies into the debacle over the social work college, whilst others in BASW are considering a vote of no confidence in the chairman over allegations relating to his business affairs. In turn he has made a police complaint of harassment – now that scenario reminds me of something! Oh yes, I remember, Mrs C was warned by the police, in writing, to desist from her repetitive complaints and bad mouthing certain people. She tries to keep that quiet.

Anyway, back to BASW – what a fucking mess and a disgrace. As for Tim Chittleburgh, who knows where that story is going.

What would Lewis Carroll make of it all? See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweedledum_and_Tweedledee

Wilt (from his desk in Malta)

Inconsistent.................

The regulators have been busy again. The Care Council for Wales (CCW) case was something of a no brainer: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/22/114349/Children39s-worker-struck-off-for-meat-cleaver-attack-on.htm

Generally a meat cleaver is not a social work tool, not of course that Wilt is prejudiced against social workers with meat cleavers – he is more scared of them, or indeed anyone who has a meat cleaver.

As it was such an easy case to analyse (all the work was done by the police and the employer) there was little time lost in CCW arriving at its judgement.

Meanwhile the General Social Care Council (GSCC) has taken a little longer (3 years) to impose an i8 month sanction in this case: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/22/114341/social-worker-admonished-for-putting-vulnerable-adult-at-risk.htm

Personally, I think 18 months is rather disproportionate and especially after the woman admitted her error and it was a professional error three years ago. What exactly does this 18 month admonishment achieve? A far shorter admonishment or even a no sanction outcome could be justified.

Readers may remember this case: http://regulatorwatch.co.uk/2009/08/mooo/ and more particularly this article: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/13/112353/gscc-criticised-for-lamentable-delay-in-bringing-conduct-case.htm

Now the GSCC conduct committee did qualify their reason not to make a sanction by stating:

“However, it said this was an isolated incident in a 25-year career and no service user was put at risk or harmed by McLauchlan's actions, making a sanction unnecessary.”

That is a reasonable point, but it still does not explain the very different outcomes of disposal in the two cases. Another Care Standards Tribunal matter, perhaps?

Perhaps the GSCC is slipping into old ways again?

Wilt (from his desk in Malta)

Planet basw.............

In a Galaxy long away is a planet called BASW – it seems to contain folk who are hopeful, bright, dedicated and deserving of status. That excludes the ruling class who, some of whom are simple piss heads and live in an alternative world. Among them is an “acting” leader trying as best as she can to recover a utter disaster in the public image of social work. Regrettably, she faces such an uphill task that she has resorted to “off world” concepts that the survival of the universe relies upon BASW – we might all get consumed by Darth Vader unless BASW are given a voice.

Quite frankly, if there was ever a time for BASW to give in, it is now. Stop digging a hole even bigger than Dawson has already dug and just, well, stick your heads in a meat grinder – the likely outcome from your brain might just be as comprehensively stupid.

What is wrong with these people: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114178/basw-offers-to-work-alongside-college-development-group.htm

Gawd help us!

Wilt

Clipped wings.......

The GSCC are becoming newsworthy again. First this report indicates, as Wilt predicted the GSCC will at best have its wings clipped and at worst may be subsumed altogether into some other quango. See the article her: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/30/114185/gscc-functions-could-shift-under-white-paper-proposals.htm

They have hardly won their wings to expand in light of the total fuck ups made in the past. Wilt is still convinced the nice people at the GSCC will find themselves listed as a former regulator, a bit like the NCSC (National Care Standards Commission) and CSCI (Commission for Social Care Inspection).

Second, the GSCC have concluded on this case, and in one sense rather controversial given the passage of time. They have been very brave. See the article here:  http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/30/114184/GSCC-strikes-off-worker-for-sexual-abuse.htm

Meanwhile the GSCC has had a busy month: http://www.gscc.org.uk/Conduct/Conduct_hearings/recently_concluded_hearings/

Some very interesting readings among these numerous concluded GSCC hearings, and for the first time (I think) a hearing held outside of London. That means those nice people at the GSCC got off their fat bums and went out to the provinces – no, we do not still paint our bodies red and run around nude! So you see GSCC, you are safe beyond the M25.

On the whole, I must say, the GSCC seem to be getting their act together – nothing immediately springs to mind in their findings that causes concern, but given their history, you just never know for sure. It is, however, a little come lately as the GSCC have the immaculate propensity to stupidity.

However, nothing will prompt Wilt to register with the fools, any more than re-join BASW – Gawd forbid!

Wilt

Tossers...........

And what is exactly wrong about setting limits on the pay scales of local authority directors? Where will they go to get better rates – Botswana? As well as politicians “not getting it” and trade unions (i.e. Unite) living in never never land, it seems local authorities are suffering with some alien infliction that does not recognise a thing called recession, and even without a recession those in the public sector need to get real. What a bunch of tossers.

See the CC article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114175/Employers-warn-against-budget-plan-for-director-pay.htm

What planet are these people living on? Only the likes of Wilt are allowed to earn those kinds of sums, cos he earns it through hard graft and does not expect a golden goodbye or copper bottomed pension scheme, up to 12 months sick pay, loads of paid holiday and all the other associated perks that are an anathema to the private sector. If Wilt does not work, he does not get paid – simple and worryingly truthful. He is not looking for a handout from the taxpayer and caters for his own time off sick or holiday, and pays for his own private pensions and ISAs that will keep him in comfort in his old age – at least 10 pints of cider a day and that is just for Salty Dog.

Wilt

Sunshine...........

Oh what a wonderful weekend in north Wales. Sun, sun, and even more sun - and lots of cool cider too. I use it as sun cream! Salty dog had a few pints too.

Gosh, it was just what the doctored ordered and now Wilt is so relaxed he can hardly get up – mind you that might be the cider too. Mrs Wilt was also in attendance together with Wilt’s brother and wife – they drink even more cider than Salty Dog and cost Wilt a fortune! No wonder even now I still have a hang-over. Gawd!

Anyway its back to the drudgery of work – however it helps add to the retirement savings. Not quite the retirement savings of some people in Oxfordshire and Shropshire, but enough for poor Wilt. Not that I am jealous or anything, unlike some might be from other parts, like Warwickshire.

Anyway, MPs expenses:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8592174.stm

And here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8587661.stm is excellent news. Plaskett (of Dunes) et al will have to go on a diet rather than claim the £400 a month no questions asked expenses on food. And the profit he has made on his second home will have to be repaid, and no longer the plasma TV replacement if it blows up. Nor indeed other furnishings or replacement bathrooms, or indeed first class travel on trains.

I am particularly pleased with the latter as I find MPs tend to lower the tone of first class travel. They are so, well, lacking any class, let alone dignity.

And the “Communications” allowance has gone – now that will be a good reason to dump Mrs C of Leamington Spa, apart from the fact that Dunes will be losing his seat anyway. I despair for Mrs C – what will she do? No one to listen to her moans – shock/horror. Actually, I do not give a shit, and neither does anyone else, which is the important fact she needs to understand.

My mate in Salop still has regular visits to his website, as late as last week, from the disgruntled and without compensation from the Spa. The woman is manic. Anyway he is off on another joint project with others in Oxfordshire and he does not give a shit. And then, he tells me, next week he has a shin dig goodbye party in a Midlands authority to celebrate his years of dedicated service before standing down from his independent chairman role – strangely enough Mrs C is not invited.

In further political news this chap: https://www.youfund.me.uk/antony-calvert/ is trying to raise some cash to oust Ed Balls – now that is a deserving cause. I am asking a certain friend in Salop to donate a few thousand quid, and Wilt has already donated a few pounds from his limited bank account.

Meanwhile poor old BASW are getting another kicking: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114176/basw-rep-withdraws-after-exclusion-from-college-group.htm which is, I have decided, is well deserved. What is this Dork Dawson up to?

Well, he explains it here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/29/114176/basw-rep-withdraws-after-exclusion-from-college-group.htm and there are a range of views expressed by others.

And I had such high hopes for Dawson and BASW – I should have realised it would come to nothing.

I despair.

The only amusement at the moment is listening to the chuckles of certain folk from Salop and Oxon, and imagining the tears in Warks.

It was very strange today – we had a visit from Buckinghamshire County Council to Regulator Watch – it must be that Mr Campbell bloke who loves chatting to Mrs C. Very odd!

Wilt

Brum..............

It was difficult to avoid this headline today: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8575046.stm with six social workers sacked in Birmingham, and it was all over the “today” programme on Radio 4 this morning http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/

The term “sacked” is of course rather emotive and the question of why managers were not sacked too remains uncertain – we suspect however that may be captured in the internal reorganisation in Birmingham as managers are lost, re-assigned or retired in a streamlined management structure.

The facts remain however that as a Council Birmingham is far too large, far too disparate (and desperate) in terms of its communities and too stressed to ever succeed in its service delivery. The answer has to be to dismantle and reconstruct the Council into anything up- to- four separate Council’s to make it more manageable. Will it happen?   Not under this Government!

There are, I heard on the radio today, 20% sickness rates among staff in social services and on top of that the Council relies very heavily upon agency staff. Agency staff are not exactly bad news nor indeed unusual in any authority (these days or indeed throughout my near 40 year career in social work) and that is something of a red herring. Many agency staff are excellent, and as we know many new social workers are taking this route before committing, as previously observed:  http://regulatorwatch.co.uk/2010/03/agency-work/

However, Birmingham is totally fucked up (anyone sensible will tell you it has been for decades) and some social workers are now paying the price – we suspect so will be some managers, but they will probably get paid off or retired. We know, from numerous correspondents that even the most able of social workers join Birmingham and are dragged DOWN by the culture of failure – there is little there to reinforce positive action or competence. It is simply, here are another 10 cases which are impossible to manage. “Just get on with it.”

The head of children’s services in Birmingham (Colin Tucker) of course hails from Sandwell MBC – and look at what a fucking mess he left there! Whereas the guy needs to be given some latitude we wonder is he really up to the job?

Mind you, is anyone up to the job?  Wilt has his doubts on both questions.

Are there any health visitors, education welfare officers, police officers et al being sacked or disciplined – if they are forgive me for missing those details. Yet they are equally if not in some instances more responsible for failings in child welfare.

Believe me, I am no lover of Birmingham Council social services, but social workers are again getting a good bashing in the news – that is not to say that the “Birmingham Six [social workers]” are without the need to be “sacked” or indeed may be innocent, in full or part. No doubt the Rottweiler’s at the GSCC are licking their lips at culling a few more registrants – they just love damaging social workers and the profession and enjoy a close relationship with the Sun readers of this island nation.

The Guardian (oh yeah – guardian of what exactly?) publish a report here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/mar/19/birmingham-council-sacks-social-workers

The Telegraph are not terribly interested http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7478004/Birmingham-council-sacks-six-social-workers-after-Khyra-Ishaq-case.html

The Times likewise uninterested: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7068220.ece

The Mail just aint up to it, yet: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1259085/Khyra-Ishaq-Birmingham-council-members-sacked-child-deaths.html

And

Community Care aint yet woken up (as at 11:26) to the news at all: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Home/

Mind you the latter rarely wake up before noon!

There will, again, be tears before bedtime and no doubt the GSCC will fuck up over this issue too.

Wilt

The devil in the detail............

This a load of tosh, £48 Million is a complete waste as it will not even begin to address any key issues facing frontline or even back office social work – Labour simply rely on the term “frontline” to mask the FACT that whoever wins the election the local authority budget (wherever you live) is going to be utterly slashed – by up to 30%.

See Ed (the fuck head) Balls article here from Community Care: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114067/frontline-social-work-to-be-transformed.htm

He obviously thinks that we are all idiots by thinking we will all jump up and down in delight and pay homage to the fuck head but who in fact cares shit about social care or children.

Extra money for Cafcass – more cash for another waste of space. “Oh it is failing” – let’s throw some money at it! It might help Balls sleep better at night but for certain it aint going to help one little bit anyone else.

Utter twat. He still reminds me of Damien (aka the devil) whenever I see his picture.

Wilt