Social workers were accused yesterday of “political correctness gone mad” after it was revealed that councils and agencies will not let foster parents smack children but don’t object if they have a criminal record.
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Low morale among Edinburgh social workers was highlighted by a new inspection report. The reported state of morale in the city’s social work services was among the lowest of any of the local authorities so far scrutinised by the Social Work Inspection Agency.
The finding came in a report by the agency which was generally approving of the services provided by the council. But morale was among the “key areas” where improvement was needed, it said.
The inspection report was carried out at a time when the council was in the middle of a “serious financial crisis”.
Social services had also been reorganised in Edinburgh, with some functions going to a new department of children’s services and others to a department of health and social care. The study also took place after an inspection of child protection which had criticised some aspects of the work being carried out.
Yesterday’s report said: “Despite feeling they were doing a good job, many staff were not positive about morale in their team.
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Some 18,000 offenders are expected to be punished directly by prosecutors rather than being sent to court under new measures aimed at improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
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Glasgow could learn lessons from New York about how to tackle crime, according to a report by an independent think tank.
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A FUNDING crisis in Scotland’s capital is hampering services for thousands of vulnerable people and damaging morale among staff, according to a new report.
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Sex offending is of increasing public concern with calls for longer terms of imprisonment and closer supervision of such offenders in the community. Currently a variety of treatment approaches are
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A 16-YEAR-OLD girl who lay dying of a heroin overdose while her mother and elder sister allegedly watched TV was visited by a social worker hours before she died.
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Tributes have been paid to Lancashire dad Philip Ellison, the social worker stabbed to death while doing his job.
Married father-of-three Mr Ellison, of Leyland Road, Penwortham, was attacked with a knife at a supported housing block in Glebe Close, Fulwood, Preston on Monday.
The 47-year-old, a social worker in adult care at Lancashire County Council, suffered multiple stab wounds and later died of his injuries.
Social care bosses and community leaders described Mr Ellison as a “respected, dedicated social worker”.
One friend said: “Deepest sympathies to his wife, sons and extended family.
“I considered Phil one of those people who genuinely cared and went the extra mile for people. It’s a sad situation to find social workers put into danger to be killed trying to do their best.”
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The Homelessness Action Team, the joint project between the Housing Corporation and Communities and Local Government, has been extended for another 12 months to the end of March 2009 due to the success of its first year’s work, the Housing Corporation announced.
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* Who cares? Changing patterns of childcare in Central and Eastern Europe * Are the poor socially integrated? The link between poverty and social support in different welfare regimes *
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