What the media coverage on the Kirstie Allsopp story misses is how social work actually works (Kirstie Allsopp reported to social services for allowing son, 15, to travel abroad, 25 August). If a referral is made, it must be acted on when certain criteria are met – it is simply the law. This approach doesn’t discriminate between class or status – it applies to all.
Sadly, like the police, social work does receive malicious referrals and, like the police, we still must make inquiries to establish which referrals require further work and which can be closed without further action.
Some have suggested that social workers should differentiate between malicious and genuine referrals. But how does one know this without making an inquiry? Without having at least one phone conversation with a parent or guardian? If we left initial referral management to subjectivity, we would open the gates to too much variance and potentially miss serious abuse. This is why referrals are looked into, even if it just constitutes a couple of phone calls.
Keeping a file open is usual practice since we know that a series of incidents or referrals usually builds a picture, which may indicate a more involved piece of work is needed with a family.
Social work is a complex job that works in a grey area. Often criticised for doing or not doing something, social workers have a challenging yet rewarding role, and one worthy of our respect.
Julia Ross
Chair, British Association of Social Workers
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