Give a little time!

Posted on January 27th, 2012

Recently it was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge will be volunteering with the Scouts in North Wales, near where she lives. She has made it clear she wants to ‘get her hands dirty’ with hands on help with Beaver Scout Colonies and Cub Scout Packs, and not ‘just come along and open things’. She’ll be doing things that any other volunteer would do. This hopefully will draw attention and encourage other potential volunteers to get their hands dirty too and indicate that even those with erratic schedules can find time to give something back to their community. The Scout Association has indicated that there is a role for all kinds of volunteering not just regular week after week running of meetings.

This hopefully will encourage even those with busy lives to find a small area that they can volunteer in – and also encourage groups and charities who need volunteers to be flexible themselves and accept whatever potential volunteers can offer. Groups and charities may need to alter the way they use volunteers to make sure that they make best use of the resource offered and value their volunteers.  The person, who spends an hour once a month, may later turn into a regular helper every week, should their circumstances change.

Workers at Avocet volunteer for the Scouts and a charity called Young Carers which supports children who have a family member with a long-term condition or terminal disease for which the child takes on some caring responsibilities. This all adds towards the ethos of Avocet being ‘child focused’. We enjoy giving our time to help children do something that they might not otherwise be able to and hopefully make small changes for the better in their lives. Children can mix with other children who have similar experiences and interests and perhaps make new friends from different areas and from different schools. Helping the children and seeing them enjoy themselves and watching them progress over the weeks and months certainly makes it worthwhile giving up some of your time.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s volunteering will hopefully inspire some people, who were wavering about helping and finding out that she has time may encourage them to take that step and volunteer themselves. Most groups could do with more adult helpers that would enable them to make a difference to more children’s lives.

So go on give it a go and try volunteering in 2012 – you’ll be glad that you did!

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Landmark case

Posted on January 18th, 2012

Essex County Council has paid out £1 million in compensation to four siblings in a landmark case.  The four children were sexually abused by their father who the local authority knew had abused children from a previous relationship.

Despite learning of the father’s history of abusing children the local authority made the decision that he should move out of the family home but agreed that he could continue to have contact with his four children under the supervision of their mother.  It was during these supervised contacts that the children were subjected to further abuse.

It is apparent that a comprehensive risk assessment was not undertaken with regards to the mother’s understanding of the risk he posed to the children.  In such situations it is imperative to ascertain whether the mother is open to the fact that her partner is sexually abusive and to gain a clear understanding of how she intends to protect her children.

Avocet Independent Social Workers undertake risk assessments in cases where children are at risk of harm.  Our Independent Social Workers are experienced and highly competent practitioners and are currently being commissioned to undertake Court directed risk assessments.

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Multiple Births

Posted on January 11th, 2012

On 28 December 2011, The Daily Telegraph reported that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of so-called ‘selective reductions’ to women with multiple pregnancies, whereby one or more foetus(es) is terminated, but the pregnancy is continued with one or more other foetus(es).

The figures show an increase from 59 ‘reductions’ in 2006 to 85 during 2010, however there are no corresponding figures released regarding any increase in the numbers of IVF cycles and pregnancies over the same period, which means that although there is an increase in numbers, they do not indicate whether there has been a corresponding increase in multiple pregnancies in the same period.  Separate figures show that although one third of the selective abortions involved pregnancies that were a result of fertility treatment, the remaining two-thirds did not involve such treatments.

Multiple pregnancies are more dangerous to both mothers and babies and most termination decisions are still made on the baby being seriously handicapped once born, as are similar decisions for singleton pregnancies. The risks of both prematurity and handicap are increased with a twin pregnancy and increase greatly with three babies or more. Older mothers are naturally more likely to have multiple pregnancies than younger women and in addition, many of the pregnancies achieved using IVF are often to older mothers who have and have had to go down the lengthy IVF process before achieving a pregnancy. Older mothers have an increased chance of having a child with Down’s Syndrome whether the pregnancy is a singleton or multiple; by natural conception or by fertility treatment.

An alternative reason that parents consider a selective reduction is to increase the chance of getting the pregnancy to a successful delivery, as multiple pregnancies usually lead to premature delivery of the babies, with prematurity increasing as the number of babies increases, to the point of non-viability.

Long waiting times and high costs of IVF treatment mean that although women are encouraged to have a single embryo implanted, despite the risks they often still wish to maximise their chances of a successful cycle and see the implantation of more than one embryo as a way of achieving this. This will continue to be an issue whilst the treatment costs are so high. If a more achievable fee structure for fertility treatment can be made, then couples may be more likely to have cycles of treatment with the aim of achieving a singleton pregnancy.

Several comments regarding this controversial procedure have been with well-rehearsed arguments regarding the moral use of fertility procedures and terminations in general, rather than the specific weighing up of risks to babies and mothers in a multiple pregnancy.

All decisions regarding abortion need careful weighing up of risks and circumstances, but to take a pragmatic decision regarding selective reduction will be particularly difficult given the possible loss of the entire pregnancy (either as an indirect result of the procedure or by doing nothing and all the babies being born too early to survive). The difficulty will be further increased by the relative rareness of the procedure meaning that couples will probably not know anyone who has been in the same situation as them and indeed many professionals may not have come directly across the situation before.

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Institutional discrimination but not at the top!

Posted on January 11th, 2012

Last week saw the conviction of David Norris and Gary Dobson for the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993.  The original murder enquiry led to the Macpherson report into the conduct of the Police with a finding of institutional racism.  This phrase became a powerful motivator for change within organisations, with the wording alternated to institutional discrimination in order to encapsulate issues relating to gender.  We view the consideration of discrimination through the structures of organisation as an important method for ensuring that minority groups are not abused by those in power.

There have seen some highly published events in football regarding alleged racist comments by fans and players, which have seen a Liverpool fan arrested and bailed.  The Chelsea and England Captain, John Terry has been charge with racial abuse and is currently waiting for his case to be heard.  These incidents demonstrate that racism remains an undertone within some aspects of our society.  The answer is education and positive role modelling.

Step forward Mr Cameron, our Prime Minister.   This leading political figure sets the ethical tone for his party and helps create the public image of the UK at home and abroad.  Within the last year Mr Cameron as told a female politician to ‘calm down dear’ during a Parliamentary meeting, which he later apologised for.  If Mr Cameron had attended a Social Work meeting and used the same comment it would have caused a great stir with fellow professionals, leading to stunned silence and at the very least a manager having a quiet word with him regarding his inappropriate behaviour.

Mr Cameron’s recent reference to shadow chancellor Ed Balls as a person with Tourettes suggests that Mr Cameron has not been taken aside and given advice on issues of equal opportunities. The comment caused dismay amongst those with first had knowledge of this complex neurological condition that has the potential to blight a person’s day to day functioning and the outcome was another apology from Mr Cameron.

What is sadly lacking is meaningful change.  Stephen Lawrence’s death prompted an enquiry which concluded that institutional racism affected Police officers when it came to fulfilling their professional role.  Yet in 2012 we still have a political leader, the elected head of UK politics, making crass and insensitive comments of a discriminatory nature.  The remarks made by Mr Cameron would not have been tolerated in many organisations with anyone using similar statements likely to be facing some of disciplinary action.   There is no indication of Mr Cameron being suspended so the institutional discrimination remains within the very place where legislation is passed.   The question is would the Macpherson report have highlighted racial discrimination in the Houses of Parliament. Mr Cameron’s actions suggest that any derogatory comment would have been dismissed with a quickly apology. Mr Cameron does not stand alone in making inappropriate remarks in Parliament; I make an example of him in the belief that as head of the government he should know better. A heightened awareness by Mr Cameron might encourage those in general society to be aware of the impact of words used in a prejudicial nature.

This might be a simplistic approach to racism, but it is one where a lack of basic politeness has led to offensive phrases used in public. If these situations cannot be avoid then the complex issue of institutional racism and sexism indeed most forms of discrimination, will remain within organisations and British society.

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Independent Social Work Assessments

Posted on December 16th, 2011

At Avocet we are currently having a recruitment drive – we need Independent Social Workers due to an increasing amount of referrals received from local authorities, solicitors, independent organisations and members of the public.

If you are a GSCC registered, qualified Social Worker with at least 5 years post qualifying experience in front line social work teams and are interested in providing Independent Social Work services with Avocet please contact us using one of the following options only:

info@avocetisw.co.uk  / 01892704095 / 08432899687

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X Factor inconsistent with its stance on drugs

Posted on November 14th, 2011

The X Factor has created headlines again, this time over a young person taking drugs.  Contestant Frankie Cocozza was ‘booted off’ the show due to allegedly taking cocaine and sleeping with young female fans. The comment from the show was that Frankie had broken one of the ‘golden rules’.

Initially the actions of the show’s management team seem appropriate until you look further into the ‘morals’ of this entertainment programme.  Did Frankie not audition in front of Robbie Williams, guest of one of the judges and an adult with a history of addiction?  This is not the first appearance of Robbie Williams; he was included in previous years in a line-up of stars including George Michael to sing with young adults of a similar age to Frankie.

The X Factor seemed to have no problem with George Michael, a known user of Cannabis singing with one young hopeful in one show.   The show did not apply its ‘golden rule’ to George Michael or indeed Mark Owen. The latter who had highly publicised problems related to alcohol misuse.  Maybe the X Factor realised that Frankie would not reach the level of these performers who have all used either alcohol or drugs and therefore he was ‘expendable’.

Take a look at the music X Factor hopefuls are asked to sing.  There have been several X Factor series where they have been asked to sing Elton John songs.  Another man who has had well publicised problems with substance misuse yet is positively embraced by the X Factor.

Another ‘star’ whose music is chosen to be sung on X Factor is Michael Jackson.  The resent death of Michael Jackson and subsequent trial of Conrad Murray has made it plainly clear that this father of three children was addicted to drugs – a drug addict.  The X Factor show’s biggest boy band JLS recently played at the Michael Jackson tribute concert.  All of these actions seem to ignore the fact that Michael Jackson’s involvement in drugs has left three children without a father.

If Frankie Cocozza goes on to become successful there is no doubt that the X Factor will welcome him back and that him breaking the ‘golden rule’ will be forgotten about and I will have confirmation that the X Factor has double standards regarding its stance on drug use.

Avocet Independent Social Workers undertake assessments of parents with drug and alcohol misuse problems.

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When will we ever learn?

Posted on October 28th, 2011

Ofsted report Ages of Concern was published this week highlighting amongst other things that Social Workers continue to underestimate the risks posed to babies.   The report looked at 482 Serious Case Reviews involving 210 babies under a year old.

The report emphasises the need for ‘swift’ pre-birth assessments and an overall improvement on assessments undertaken.   It seems that Social Workers continue to marginalise fathers and fail to understand the risks parents pose when then have drug and alcohol issues and when there is domestic violence in the home.  The very fact that babies can not speak about harm, they can not walk or run away from harm, they are often covered from head to toe or tucked up in their cot asleep when we see them and therefore harm is not evidently visible.  This should heighten our sensitivity to the potential harm around them.

At Avocet we are experienced and well trained individuals who assess risk within all the assessments we undertake.  We endeavour to include and give equality of opportunity to father’s who feel excluded from processes and our assessments are child focused – always considering the impact on the child of the parents’ behaviour and actions.

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What is going on in the world?

Posted on October 25th, 2011

Two news stories made an impact on me today, both completely unrelated but each telling a very different tale about how these ‘hard times’ are impacting on individuals.   The first story involves two recent cases in China of a child being run over and killed.  The first child was two years of age and was seemingly wandering around without adult supervision when she was run over not once but twice and then it appears a number of adults walked past her as she lay injured and dying in the road.   The second incident involved a five year old walking to school who was run over by a lorry, the driver of which allegedly reversed over the child to ensure he could not survive because if he had done so then the driver would have been responsible for his medical bills.   Such atrocities are unthinkable in civilised society I thought.   But when you directly relate it to the current financial climate, the fact that we are experiencing a recession that has yet to take it’s ‘double-dip’, the increasing numbers out of work and more jobs cuts on the horizon you have to wonder what desperate levels people will resort to in a crisis.

In direct contrast to these two terrible incidents I read today that in the first three months of trading this year sales of Victoria Beckham brand designer clothing reached £15 million.  Added to this it is rumoured that her already immensely wealthy husband is being offered millions of pounds to join French football club Paris Saint-Germain.  Such disparity of wealth I have blogged about previously and I will in all likelihood mention again because the growing divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ is becoming increasingly apparent.

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Respect to our Elders

Posted on October 18th, 2011

Having recently completed Shine – a marathon walk through London during the night I was indeed impressed to learn of a 100 year old man who recently completed a marathon in (what I truly believe to be) a very respectable 8 hours.  I say respectable because I too took that length of time to complete the challenge and I am half his age!!  When I compare my brother-in-law’s immensely impressive 2 hours and 57 seconds completion time of the Chester marathon rather than shrink back in defeat it spurs me on to think about improving on my fitness levels to get my body in shape and prepared for the many years ahead – we are an ageing population and we are all going to be living and working well into ‘old age’ is my thinking.

There has been some interesting news coverage involving the older generation recently not least of all the slot on This Morning considering sexual relationships between older people.   The show, having previously adopted a reputation for being a bit too racy for a morning programme, featured sex aids and a couple demonstrating sexual positions suited to those over 60! Apparently there have been many complaints about the segment, the time of day at which the show was shown and viewers not happy to see sexual positions being acted out on their TV screen by an couple of pensioners!  Rather than wish to be shielded from what our elders are up to I wonder why we are so reluctant to embrace it?

I watched the recent Pride of Britain awards and was (as always) pleased to see a number of older people getting recognition for their achievements, whether it be for beating a gang of bank robbers with their shopping bag, wing walking or raising in excess of 100 million pounds for charity.   When I watch it makes me feel proud of what these older people have achieved but once again spurred on to thinking about the potential of the generations that have brought us to where we are today.

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The Week That Was!

Posted on August 12th, 2011

At the end of what can only be described as a truly horrific week I am feeling exhausted after experiencing fiercely strong emotions and feelings towards my country as I watched it being destroyed by riots, death and destruction and looting.  My mind has been working overtime, trying to make sense of it all.  Trying to figure out what message these people were trying to convey and what part we have all played in such an apparently sudden breakdown in law, order and societal values.

As politicians now grapple with who is to blame – was it the previous or current government?  Was it those who spent like there was no tomorrow or those who are trying to claw it all back?  I don’t profess to know the answers and at the end of the day this type of debate, no matter how lively, will not solve what is so obviously now a problem.  There is a growing divide in England, between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ that is creating a culture of  instant gratification and greed and has led to young people making such comments about this week’s riots as, “It showed the rich that we can do what we like”.  Did it really?

Why did these people want to show the ‘rich’ that an Age Concern ambulance could be set alight and destroyed?   What was the point in showing the ‘rich’ that  deploying so many Police to tackle the riots meant that necessary mental health assessments requiring Police presence could not be undertaken?  What did the young mother of a 4 year old show to the ‘rich’ when she left her child to go out and steal?   What message did these people want to give to the ‘rich’ about the deaths of a pensioner trying to put out a fire and the three men in Birmingham trying to protect their local businesses?

Have these people succeeded in showing the ‘rich’ that as a  direct result of their actions they have increased the number of unemployed by destroying business and places of work?   Have these people succeeded in showing the ‘rich’ that as a direct result of their actions they have increased homelessness in England due to setting people’s homes on fire?

If the intention was to make the ‘rich’ sit up and take notice then this belief was misplaced.  The actions of the rioters, looters whatever you want to call them wont stop Colleen Rooney from taking next months holiday and it wont stop the top bankers receiving ridiculous bonuses.

What it is likely to show the ‘rich’ is that the Social Work student caught in the riot will not now be able to pursue a Social Work career.  The ‘rich’ are likely to  see the classroom mentor and teaching assistant lose their jobs in a primary school.  The young woman  who abandons her child in favour of rioting and stealing a pair of trainers is likely to be seen by the ‘rich’ as an unfit mother.   And the parent who allows their primary school age child to become involved in such dangerous night time activity can only be seen by the ‘rich’ as failing to parent.

The irony of these people’s assertion that they ‘showed the rich’ lies in the fact that one of the people involved in the rioting and looting was the daughter of a wealthy business man.  This begs the question – Who was she showing that she can do what she likes?

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