There is an awful lot of interest on Regulator Watch from hundreds of sources about both the demise of the GSCC and Mrs C – must be all the press releases or otherwise the demonic woman of Leamington Spa is ranting again.

Strangely, a colleague has similar activity on his website. We hope Mrs C is not breaching her bail conditions. He copied me this letter:

“Dear Mr Plod

“Mrs C is at it again – how long did you say she would be locked up for on breach of bail, and does it follow that harassment by others (even unwittingly) can cause their arrest too?

“We have their addresses and personal computer IDs. That is their log on identities. What Silly Billy’s these people are. Should we block them or just let the evidence accumulate?

“Wilt tells me that Mrs C and her toads are on his blog daily, without fail, usually three times a day except Sundays – she seems to be very regular. I will not repeat what Wilt goes on to describe as regular – he is just so rude, albeit correct.

“Do you understand the meaning of ‘Twat’? Personally I prefer a good single malt whisky. I must ask the barman for a ‘Twat.’ Sounds as if it might be interesting. I am game for a new experience.

“Anyway, you are on duty and enough about drinking – any advice please shall be greatly appreciated.”

To set this in context Mrs C was ARRESTED for cyber stalking and harassment on 29^th June 2010 and bailed on conditions for three months not to make contact with (or cause others contact) with certain named individuals, companies and their websites.

Mrs C is a foster parent, so called although you would be hard pressed to find any activity as such as she spends most of her sad life in her former council house scouring the internet for any muck she can use to perpetuate her sad and demonic harassment. Go here to get a good description of Mrs C: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking

Less than a month, as predicted, the mad twat has breached her bail.

Oh dear………. She has no fucking clue.

What next?

Wilt

Wilt predicted precisely this 12 months ago: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/26/114986/sector-leaders-shocked-and-surprised-by-abolition-of-gscc.htm

According to Community Care sector leaders are shocked – well they should have been reading Regulator Watch. So, no surprise to Wilt and he will not be on his own in feeling pleased. The GSCC, with its stupid logo, has been a nightmare from day one. No doubt staff will be leaving to find new, proper, jobs with far less perks and salary – good.

The GSCC was after all one of the primary reasons for Regulator Watch being set up – to publicise those aspects of their work which they preferred not to have published.  You know like the major cock ups they frequently made and continue to make. What will Regulator Watch do without them and after the demise of Plaskitt (ex) MP and his demonic constituent?

Of course there is no word about the sister agencies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and the functions of the GSCC will be transferred and subsumed by the Health Professions Council. Let’s see how well they do. For sure they cannot do any worse.

I like the title of the Government Report found here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/documents/digitalasset/dh_117832.pdf

“Liberating the NHS” has a certain, very satisfying ring to it! The title of Chapter 5 will be particularly poignant to some people in Oxfordshire and Salop.

Pages 21 – 23 deal with the proposed abolition of the GSCC and transfer of its functions. Interestingly, there is a hint that social work students will not be required to register and, unlike at present, the new registration will require no government subsidy i.e. total self funding.

Legislation will be introduced in November 2010 to make all the various changes and implementing the transfer of functions by the GSCC will be effective from April 2012 – these are indicative as distinct from absolute. If all goes to plan, by the end of March 2012 the GSCC will no longer exist – the end of an era error!

So who next? The ISA is already under notice and has delayed starting registration – they are as good as toast and Wilt predicts they will be gone before the end of the year.

Ofsted, Cafcass and Scie? The latter, to my surprise is not a public body although one suspects it gets some funding – it is widely predicted it will not survive. Wilt predicts Ofsted will get broken up and demolished and Cafcass will simply disappear.

The General Teaching Council is already toast. You never know, it might yet come about that regulation of social care might just go the same way. If not, expect to pay more for your registration or start calling yourself something other the protected title of “social worker.”

When the term ‘bonfire of the quangos’ was termed – they really meant it!

Good.

Wilt

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

One of the icons and great men of our time (and hero of Wilt) has resigned – the impeccable and gorgeous Dr Desmond Tutu. God bless him. We will miss him and the world a lesser place without him. However, we doubt if he will entirely “retire” as men of his ilk tend not to fade away – he does however deserve retirement after long service to humankind. His standing down is an inevitable but sad loss – we remember his very kindly, warm smile, directness of personality and “no shit” tell it how it is approach.

What a hero.

Another hero not yet lost, is also featured in the news – Dennis Healy, or rightly known as Baron Healy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Healey

Sadly, his beloved wife Edna May has passed away. He will be bereft and without his anchor in his late age of 92. What a character, what a brilliant man he is and what “a silly Billy” he never was. Dennis Healy was probably the first political figure Wilt recognised – he was difficult not to recognise due to his bushy eyebrows.

He however stood out as a politician of conviction, although some would disagree, and of some intellect – he is another Oxbridge left wing graduate from a historic college, like Wilt and friends.

Even today, and especially today in reflection of his sad loss, Wilt recalls happier times when hearing many years ago Healy say “don’t be a silly Billy” but especially his exceptional house of commons response to his friend but opposition MP Sir Geoffrey Howe’s attack in the Commons, “It’s like being savaged by a dead sheep.”

He was and is, and may he live much longer, the best Prime Minister the UK has never known. Ken Clarke follows in his footsteps – another best Prime Minister we have never known.

Time moves on however, and today we have (call me) ‘Dave’ and I am frankly impressed with him to date – he has that kind of gritty and grounded attitude I admire in Tutu and Healy.

Our thoughts are however with Dennis, with his menacing eyebrows and intelligent wit. As is said, behind every good man is a good woman – and we think that is true in the case of Dennis. Edna is a real loss, in her own right, but especially in support of her man.

Live long brother Dennis. God bless you Edna.

Wilt

While some friends of Wilt are off to the near East for a long sojourn (for a month no less) Mr & Mrs Wilt are away shortly to the Channel Islands for a week and later (September) also with Ms Wilt back to Egypt – but not, I emphasise, Cairo.

Not after this last experience: http://regulatorwatch.co.uk/2010/07/virgin%E2%80%9D-on-the-ridiculous/

The Channel Islands are a new adventure for the Wilts. Egypt is not. While in Egypt Mrs and Ms Wilt no doubt be listening to their Ipods whilst roasting in the sun. Wilt will be in the shade, with a beer and a book.

Master Wilt will be chasing after his rather glamorous new girlfriend back at Oxbridge.

Even in mid-September it is 38c (100.4f) in Egypt. This time, we plan less sightseeing and more a relaxing time around the pool with lots of Egyptian beer – what they call beer. No cider, unfortunately and Salty Dog will be residing with mother in law for the duration – no cider there either.

Poor Salty Dog!

Another superior hotel, albeit not quite up to the Four Seasons standard in Cairo, awaits the Wilts – we have been there before and the standards and service are better than any in the UK, and indeed in the US. The pool (s) with its own “island” bar is brilliant – get drunk, fall off the stool and hopefully not drown!

There are no lifeguards.

And the gardens are absolute bliss. It shares it with its sister 5 star hotel, probably the most famous of hotels in Egypt – and about the most expensive. Yet we get to use those facilities too, if you care to spend huge amounts on a meal or on drinks on the terrace overlooking one of the best sunsets in the world.

Otherwise, you pop down the road to a restaurant and pay £5 a head for a perfectly good two course evening meal with (soft) drinks. Yes, I did say £5.00 – no joking. Egypt is so cheap, if you know the right places, as to be ridiculous.

Egyptian wine – well that is a bit of a sad story. Once when Wilt was on a Nile Cruise there was a competition and the first prize was one bottle of Egyptian wine and the second prize two bottles of Egyptian wine – even the Egyptians admit it is crap. So avoid it unless you have a serious alcohol problem.

The trouble with Egypt is that there is no reliable supply of UK newspapers – never mind, we have free Wi-Fi and with the trusty laptop Wilt et al can keep up to date. I wonder if it works around the poolside – indeed is the laptop waterproof?

We will find out.

Now all we need is a few pair of shorts, sandals, t-shirts, passport, laptop, shades and a few good books. Come September, even with the Chanel Island break, Wilt et al will be very ready for some simple relaxation.

Oh, and we avoided Egyptair to get there and back – thank Gawd!

Meanwhile however Wilt has several other trips overseas for business, a UK business contract up North for a week, several reports to complete and about £70,000 worth of invoices to process – plus the Gawd awful VAT return!

When for Gawd sake will Wilt next get to North Wales – he is missing it! Fortunately for Salty Dog, she has a week long holiday there with Mrs, Ms and Master Wilt (and girlfriend) shortly – Wilt is otherwise engaged on a contract elsewhere. Mmmmmm.

Nevertheless, life is good.

Wilt

Oh dear, what a shame, Nick Griffin got his invite to the Palace withdrawn: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10723764 and

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7904464/Nick-Griffin-denied-entry-to-Buckingham-Palace-garden-party.html

Send him to the Tower ‘Maam’ – Off With His Head I hear a cry!

Wilt would be quite happy if he were hung, drawn and quartered.

Wilt

It’s funny how the chap in the cartoon looks a bit like Wilt: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/cartoon/2010/jul/21/social-care

You know, tall, dark, handsome, and intelligent! No dress sense, 1970’s beard and drives a Citroën 2CV with that odd gear configuration via a gear lever sticking out of the dashboard.

Personally, Wilt preferred the old Renault 4 – it was the ‘posh’ 1970’s/80’s social workers car and a bit more ‘racy’ both in appearance and performance. It was a “big (social worker) boy’s car” whereas the 2CV was for Nancy boys and girls. The only trouble, both were French built – many things French, except wine and food, stink.

Wilt moved into Italian such as Alfa Romeo (otherwise rust buckets) in the 1980’s, Lancia (equal rust buckets) and the Fiat super sport models Abarth – they went like a bat out of hell. Wilt is amazed he is still alive. He had a brief return to the Renault 5 Gordini Turbo – a little less sedate than the old Renault 4; in fact very scary.

In those days, as cars went, it was all Italian, French and German, oh and to be balanced GM Vauxhall who put up a good show in terms of the boy racer Astra. Ford of course had its Escort XRi.

None of these were however quintessential British – unlike Bristol, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce or the kit car makers etc. However, then, none of these were even remotely within the reach of Wilt – he did however manage a day long test drive in a very red, very fast and very ‘girl pulling’ Ferrari.

Trying to shag in the back of a Ferrari should, seriously, come with a health warning.

So Wilt got a conscience (not about shagging – he just got a bad back) and becoming a married family man (not the lass in the Ferrari) decided he should end his boy racer career and became New Mondeo Man (via the Sierra) and, in fact, New Labour Man, eventually.

Latterly, over the past 20 years, Wilt has moved from Old Labour to encompassing New Labour and then to outright Blue Tory – gradual but persistent, I think, and inevitable progress. He has been worker, trade union rep, manager, senior manager and independent social worker and businessman – now that is a fair old journey from owning a quirky Renault 4 to running several high end UK cars based in a rather high end privately owned house, with a very profitable business.

The moral of the story – never judge a book by its cover. Some sandal wearing, hippy looking bearded social workers might just not seem to be what the image portrays. Whereas Wilt loves the (image of) the old Renault 4 he much prefers the comfort of the jolly old Range Rover and other UK Marques in the garage and on the drive.

Life is good, even without the Renault 4 – we do miss it however.

Wilt

Now is this proportionate in terms of a disposal: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5ACC11F0-B8F9-4647-A690-9C85F7DF986C/0/NOTICEOFDECISIONMainsahKiven.pdf

A five year admonishment – why? Are the GSCC effectively deciding to stop the woman working? We think so.

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will have a record and her CRB check will show the convictions. What exactly are the GSCC achieving by adding a 5 year admonishment? They just love to pile on the shit whenever given the opportunity.

This disposal is so disproportionate – indeed it is outrageous.

Wilt

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

If it is not the Stig, who the hell would want to be impersonating him? See the Telegraph article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7901767/BBC-investigates-Top-Gear-Stig-mystery.html

See one theory here: http://regulatorwatch.co.uk/2009/11/csci-internal-review-report/ (comment 13).

Might it be Wilt? He has a Range Rover. Someone is having some fun, but not Wilt in this case.

Brilliant!

Wilt