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

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

Oh dear, more MP files sent to the CPS, as outlined here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8595256.stm

What a wonderful story – little piggy’s are increasingly feeling the pinch. Excellent stuff – let them squeal all the way to market, or otherwise known as a general election.

Meanwhile Guido (http://order-order.com/) has identified this rather useful addition to your bathroom: http://order-order.com/2010/03/30/wipe-the-smile-of-their-face/

Wilt has ordered a batch via here: http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/4-/12654173/Gordon-Brown-Printed-Novelty-Toilet-Roll/Product.html

A real bargain at £3.49 a role I think if it means using Gordon to wipe my arse.

Wilt

Meanwhile Guido (http://order-order.com/)is keeping an eye on the Oink MPs under charges of fraud: http://order-order.com/2010/03/30/meanwhile-over-at-southwark-crown-court/

And here: http://order-order.com/2010/03/29/the-peoples-oink-protest-tomorrow/

It seems their legal fees are also being met by the public purse – it could only happen in the UK. Fucking outrageous.

Wilt

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

Now I have heard of Dorks but this lot take the biscuit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8593975.stm

Now Wilt loves America – he and Mrs Wilt visit family there regularly, both in New England and the Southern States. Some of those in the south look fairly mean and drive pickups the size of a tank. Very scary and intimidating, and they mean to be.

Not quite Ku Klux Klan material but the “Colonial Christian Republic” (CCR) is just as insidious. What is wrong with these people? And people moan about Muslims – it’s the bleeding Christians in America that you need to worry about. Mind you, a country that can vote in George W Bush as president must have something of a fault line, only to then more constructively and positively go on to bring in “we can” Obama. That is the contradiction that is America.

The CCR are apparently anti-government and were planning to first murder a police officer and then add to the death toll by planting land mines at the funeral. What exactly is Christian about that, can I ask? Fucking twats!

I must remember not to go to Michigan.

Wilt

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

Back again – though not for long, again. The Wilt is off to North Wales with Salty Dog, Mrs Wilt and co.

Wilt has been working down in the “smoke” on a joint project with his mate from Salop and very lucrative and enjoyable it was too, thank you very much.

Anyway – a few days at home and thereabouts with more local work and then a huge number of court directions and final hearings for months to come (with the break to sail the final bit to Malta).

This last week however there have been some developments on the Blog. First Mrs C of Leamington Spa has disappeared as in a puff of smoke. Either she has fallen off a cliff (we can but wish), is masquerading under some new ISP (we will discover her eventually) or she has just given up or gone on holiday or attending some addiction clinic. Possibly, as Mr Plaskitt thinks she is a bit nutty, she could be being detained somewhere against her will. We hope the lobotomy works, provided they can find a brain to work on!

Anyway, talking of Plaskitt (and lobotomy) – he has again emerged from his bunker and raised another query in Parliament, as set out here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2010-03-23a.323141.h&s=plaskitt#g323141.q0

Wilt and others had to think very hard and long to wonder what he may have been getting at precisely.

We were lost to understand what he was after – surely it could not be connected with Mrs C, the CSCI or any personal (private) compensation awards made to individuals associated with Mrs C’s sordid and dark past; surely not? Not connected with the fact that Mrs C has been told by the Care Quality Commission to sling her hook, dive overboard or otherwise piss off when she, in her rather bully girl fashion, “demanded” I want to know what compensation these people were paid.

Nah, Plaskitt of Dunes, could note surely find the time in his busy schedule to deal with the facile odd and distorted matter of the “discontent” of Leamington Spa – with  a serious distortion of mind. Nah, we concluded he must have bigger issues to deal with, like the budget, the state of the nation, his unsafe/marginal seat, the state of social care and the total fucking mess he created when he was a minister.

Perhaps he is for once doing something useful?

We gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Anyway, in the mean time a friend of Wilt spoke with Mr & Mrs H of Oxfordshire. He commented to Mr & Mrs H on the rather nice “wheels” (a real, real nice 4X4) that graces the drive of their mansion. He bemoaned the fact that their “wheels” were rather more superior to his. “Ah well”, said Mr & Mrs H – “our compensation was larger than yours” and added “we are thinking of getting a boat with the remainder of the settlement.” His response is unrepeatable even here on Regulator Watch!

I have no fucking idea what they were going on about, any more than what basket case Plaskitt goes on about.

What however is clear, Plaskitt was again, nicely, told to go away and stop making a fucking nuisance of himself. It seems he, and some others of Leamington Spa, are just pissing into the wind – yuck! Damp knickers and stained trousers, which is what I had when I pissed myself laughing at their hopeless efforts. Utter twats.

It is keeping Wilt and various others chuckling. Somehow I do not think Wilt will end up on Plaskitt’s Xmas card list.

Wilt

What can one say:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8570398.stm

Was it an assault with a deadly weapon or or just a “little” altercation? What a complete dork.

Wilt

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