Whether it is local government or central government bodies (including quango) the realities of cutbacks, reducing outrageous perks and job slashing is becoming a daily headline. From the Government perspective it is reducing waste (which they created – mostly by Gordon) and the Conservatives which is remodelled as doing more for less. They are different sides of the same coin, except the Conservatives (rightly) would reduce public expenditure with or without a major budget deficit. Here is but one example:

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/09/114010/efficiency-savings-could-lead-to-bigger-council-cuts-warn-directors.htm

and here:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7056366.ece

My mate, who is a senior Conservative figure in the local Council, (and indeed other Councillors or all political colours in other areas) are explicit that cutbacks are possible without major effects upon so called “frontline” services. And posts (if not staff on the payroll) will very shortly no longer exist.

However, such cutbacks need to be combined with a reduction in expectations and paperwork (and culling a few quango entirely whilst combining others) as in rejecting aspects of Laming’s (Baby P) recommendations as essentially well intentioned but distorting of the role of social workers, as outlined in this article:

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114013/scrap-lamings-social-work-assessment-plans-says-lga.htm

and this one:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8558463.stm

Wilt once shared a stage with Laming (shortly after the latter retired) in giving a conference speech and met him later at another event – nice guy but (despite how he portrays himself) not very much of this world. He was after all a former senior Whitehall mandarin who although thoughtful, caring and hard working was and remains slightly unworldly and not grounded in the realities of modern social work.

When Wilt was a fledgling social worker the job was not easy but today he would, if starting out anew, be seriously challenged – it is only a wise old head and the ability to select what work he does which allows him to practice with a level of competence, partly as a auditor/inspector, occasional interim manager, tribunal member, children’s guardian and professional (“expert”) witness. Going back to the frontline of children and families work would be very hard, and I probably would not (at my time in life) quite come up to expectations.

Laming should perhaps reflect on his position as should his successor Dame Denise, both of whom were in fact good Social Services Inspectorate Chief Inspectors (and Denise also the former Chair of the former CSCI). However, it is Laming, hailed as the oracle of children’s social care, who needs to get a grip on avoiding the confusion where one cannot see the wood for the trees.

He is as indicated, well intentioned but lacking the recent knowledge of what it is like on the frontline.

He and Wilt, along with some other bloggers, however share a common status – those who can do, those who can’t teach!

At least Wilt is self deprecating in good British fashion. He read recently the reason for this British characteristic – it is because Britons have a long history whereupon they can self deprecate in the full knowledge that they have a long cultural/historical deposit to call upon, whilst others (like the USA) are still developing their history and as such continue to fly the flag and deny even the most obvious errors.

That reminds me of the GSCC – their history is not exactly littered with huge success, rather their efforts to fly their own flag. Perhaps, also similar to both Laming and that twat Ferkin Balls – the latter the demonic reincarnation of Damien.

Hard times and hard decisions ahead.

Wilt

Wilt has been working hard, hence his absence from the Blog. However, he has been doing some catching up with, even for him, an earlier than normal start to the day.

It seems according to Community Care: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113956/one-third-of-foster-carers-forced-to-consider-giving-up.htm that foster parents are displeased with their remuneration, and that comes as no surprise as they are as a whole undervalued and not really seen by many in social care as partners.

It is further reported here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8548636.stm by the BBC.

Let me be clear, the vast majority of foster parents are true professionals, occasionally far more grounded and professional than some of those spotty faced newly qualified social workers, their managers and elected members – generally, although not always the voluntary and independent agencies are much better at managing these services and is one area where local authorities would be best to chuck in the towel.

I say generally as to be fair some local authorities are very good at it, but even the best of them struggle.

Foster care is no panacea as there remains as evidenced (mostly in the private sector) in the high numbers of children’s homes in operation. Equally, as there are Dork social workers there are utter idiots and charlatans among the ranks of foster parents, purely out for their own ends and to do as little as possible and, in order to divert attention from their failings/inadequacies, spend immense energy in finding fault with others – as in Mrs C.

So whereas the VAST majority of foster parents work hard, diligently and with complete focus on the child, others (and there is usually one per agency) simply want to create as much havoc as possible in the hope of promoting their personal vanity and lazy/false suggestion of their talents in professional child care. They are a distraction which on the whole obscures the tireless but genuine foster parents who quietly get on with the very hard task of caring for neglected, rejected and abused children, of all ages.

In days gone by the former National Foster Care Association, now the Fostering Network (http://www.fostering.net/) were an organisation you could do business with and were a true and righteous political pressure group, led by good people who, although occasionally lacking a sense of reality, actually cared about children.

They struggled in balancing the factual portrayal (then) of foster carers being intrinsically and instinctively motivated by no personal gain (other than caring for children) and the aspiration that they should be recognised as equal professionals. That struggle is ongoing sadly, but the new Fostering Network does not help itself when failing to distinguish between really good foster carers and really rather poor, questionably motivated people like Mrs C – it is rumoured/reported (from numerous sources) that Mr C is the real foster parent whilst Mrs C is just, well, a waste of space and to boot does not give a shit. And these are reliable sources.

Most “normal” people simply get on with the job – they perform well and are rewarded by results. Some however do the least possible and divert attention away from their personal failures, as in Mrs C.

A bit like social work, foster care is as much a passion and vocation as it is a professional task (unless you are Mrs C et al) but it is imperative that there is “body” which promotes its advance. As BASW is a false hope for social work, so equally is the Fostering Network under its current leadership.

If the Fostering Network (among others) wish to (and it seems it is a wish) defend the likes of Mrs C on the indefensible, then so be it – all it will achieve will be to drag itself down to the level of Mrs C, which it has done hitherto even to values and means exploited by the GSCC, and one gets low in moral standards at that level. In a case matter even the GSCC considered the Fostering Network as a hopeless witness in a (unpublished) finding and the Police were simply, well, spitting in their contempt for this (so called) representatives of foster carers.

Dorks come to mind.

However, better recognition (professionally) is necessary – they like others will however need to ride out the recession and consequential major cutbacks soon upon us. They remain however, with a few exceptions, my heroes.

Wilt

Just lost…………..

Private fostering has been a disgrace for centuries let alone decades or in fact during the term of this Government.

This area of practice remains little understood and even less cared about (despite Climbe) and very much under resourced.

See the article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/childrens-services-blog/2010/03/privately-fostered-three-year-old-killed-by-carers-in-wolverhampton.html

And Wolverhampton is now at the forefront of the next disaster in failing to address this age old problem. It is a problem probably replicated in every Council in the land, but a further major accident somewhere is waiting to happen.

Wilt

It is a little known or reported fact (although Wilt has referred to it previously) that Ofsted are in a phase of outsourcing parts of its regulatory functions to the private sector – an excellent move we think.

See here a BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8519992.stm

As yet I am not aware that Community Care (http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Home/ ) has picked up on these developments or reported.

Wilt, via his moles at Ofsted, became aware of these moves 24 months ago and it is only a beginning. This will attract the best of experts in the field and remove further from political influence (i.e.ferkin Balls) those committed, including Wilt, to inspecting service provision.

In a further move Ofsted are to undertake a further inspection of “Private Fostering” which is reported in Community Care, here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/25/113901/Ofsted-to-inspect-private-fostering-arrangements.htm

My best guess is that this will be outsourced too, or if not contracted in from private business.

You might think that Ofsted inspectors are worried about this – they are not. Most actually would love to be independent, according to my sources.

Love it or hate it – the private sector will increasingly be involved in inspection and regulation, and not just relating to the Ofsted remit.

I love it!

Wilt

As if Sandwell is bad enough, Birmingham (or at least parts of it) is an accident waiting to happen. Community Care also pointed to this article in the Birmingham Post: http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2010/02/24/birmingham-mother-and-children-found-hanged-were-known-to-social-services-65233-25899633/

A friend of Wilt once did some interim management in Birmingham and said he felt utterly unsafe and deskilled simply because of the impossibility to manage the vast workload. He came across some excellent workers there and was amazed at their dedication and resilience under what were really impossible demands.

Managers are quite used to “fighting fires” (metaphorically speaking) and revising priorities of workload throughout the working day (or week if they are lucky), but tackling outbreaks of fire combined with a force 9 gale, earthquake and a volcano erupting has a tendency to drive one a bit scatty. Rather than go scatty he, only having been begged not to, decided he would take up an easier living of being a car crash test dummy!

Like the GSCC and their ilk, Birmingham City Council needs to be dismantled and very carefully put back together – in its present state (and size) it is simply unmanageable.

And the good people of Brum (not that I visit the city unless forced) deserve a more coherent and fit for purpose conglomerate of smaller fiefdoms.

Until such time there will be more stories of disaster and more crash test dummies!

Wilt

As hinted at in an earlier post, Sandwell are yet again in the news. This Borough Council is in major meltdown and has been reportedly been in that state, according to reliable sources, probably for at least 15 years. It is a nightmare of a place to work second only to certain parts of Birmingham, which it borders.

Community Care reported today, see here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/24/113890/sandwell-suspends-10-from-childrens-safeguarding.htm that the Council have suspended 10 social workers following an unannounced Ofsted inspection. Yes 10 social workers suspended.

It has to be said if it is that bad, why are there not a few managers suspended too? Or even the chief executive, for that matter?

Now normally I would say “what do Ofsted know about inspections and even more so safeguarding.” However, via professional and personal connections I know, Sandwell is just simply dangerous and even the Dorks at Ofsted could not but notice it.

They with the likes of Haringey are not the place to work, and it is not a new problem – far from it. A friend of Wilt used to do independent complaint investigations in the borough and his hair tuned grey virtually overnight.

Sadly however since baby Peter and Climbe even the best of local authorities (and there are some who are largely very competent) are suffering the effects of increased demand with a dwindling resource base and incredible low morale. It was bad enough when I was a fledging social worker (over 30 years ago), but now it is downright bloody awful – I admire those fresh young social workers full of energy (which I now lack) but wonder where their future and that of the profession will be.

Things will get worse, a lot worse, before they get better – I fear for our children in the mean time. And “Standing Up for Social Work” or a revitalised and a more focused/better lead BASW will not have an impact. That leaves the Social Work College (Royal or otherwise) with a hell of a task on its hands.

Oh and of course we have the GSCC – Mmmmmmmmmmm!

What a mess – I am pleased I can retire in a few years but saddened that a personal lifelong professional commitment will be exited on such a low note.

Thank you Mr Balls – you firkin twat! Smarmy bastard.

Wilt

The next chapter in the Mrs and the GSCC saga is ready and will be uploaded once it is clear that it will not interfere with ongoing investigations or pervert the course of justice.

However, chapter 6 is in hand – that may come before chapter 5. Odd I know, but we try to keep on the right side of “proper.”

Wilt

Earlier last evening Wilt was contacted by an old friend. He said, “I cannot believe it – now the woman thinks I have some lost or stolen file!” The woman of course is Mrs C – a woman of some infamy on these pages and, it seems, most of the world (including the Milk Marketing Board).

Grasping a large cider I ask (knowing the answer) what fucking file? “The Happen File” he states. And what has that got to do with you, I ask? “Fuck all, I last saw it in 2002 but it seems to have been stolen or gone missing” says my friend? See earlier article here: http://regulatorwatch.co.uk/2010/02/information-commissioner/

Taking a (large) gulp of cider I ask was it stolen by you, do you have it? A firm “NO” was the reply. And so what is the problem, I ask?

It emerged that a certain PC from Banbury was investigating a lost (stolen) file from the offices of the former Happen Foster Care offices in the same town – Happen Fostercare is now run by Fostering Solutions. They had received an inspection visit from Ofsted wanting to inspect a file on Mrs C but, alas, it could not be found. It is understood that Mrs C had asked Ofsted to investigate – why is unclear. Why Ofsted, even more unclear. Purpose – Gawd knows!

Anyway, continuing:

In response to friend, so you aint got the file? “Never seen it since 2002” was the reply. Any reason you would want it? “Mmmmm, possibly for evidence, but no not really, no” Does XXXXXXX have it? “I do not think so”

OK so what is the problem? “Well, now you ask that, nothing really – I just get pissed off time and time again being harassed by this woman [Mrs C] – what is it with here?”

OK, I say to my friend, (another very large gulp of cider) take it from me she is either mad or evil – I am aware of your view on that. Either way the woman has few places to go and just let her get on with it. The woman has no merit, competence or sympathy with any agency I know, and as you know I have contacts with most.

“Is she on your website (www.regulatorwatch.co.uk) daily as she is mine.” Asks the friend. Oh yes, thrice daily mate (my turn to get a round) and it seems she has a new toy – a Smart Phone. The T-Mobile network if I recollect correctly – I clocked her immediately. My mate replied “so did I”

And so the saga goes on – we suggest Mrs C gets a life (even a job) other than sitting at her (various) pc’s and laptops and newly discovered smart phone – did you know using looked after young people pc’s is not vey professional?  Bad girl!

Anyway we commend our good friend for keeping us alert and wish him god fortune in his new ventures as set out in his press release on his website. Good luck mate.

Meantime, another pint of your best cider – Mmmmmm very refreshing, oh and a pint of ………….

How comes I get most of the rounds of drinks? I need to reflect. Seems the Salty Dog is giving away clues to my wealth – I keep telling the bastard I am poor but says otherwise to my drinking mates. Salty Dog could become best mates with the RSPCA lost dogs home – not really, she would be better off with alcoholics anonymous!

So, we have Mrs C complaining to the ICO, Osted and now her former agency about a file being missing – we thought she was anxious to have every file (except those in her house and in the passion of others she has passed them to e.g. the press) file otherwise cleansed. Very confusing! It does however explain why fostering solutions were all over Regulator Watch like a rash a few weeks ago.

Wilt

Wilt has had an interesting letter (actually an email) from the information commissioner:

Dear Sir/Madam

The Information Commissioner has received a complaint about access to personal data via the website www.regulatorwatch.co.uk.

As you should be aware, the Information Commissioner enforces the Data Protection Act 1998 (the DPA). The DPA has eight principles of ‘good information handling’. These give people specific rights in relation to their personal information and put certain obligations on those organisations that are responsible for processing it.

Under section 42 of the DPA an individual can ask the Commissioner to conduct an ‘assessment’, that is, give a view as to whether it is likely or unlikely that an organisation has complied with the DPA in the situation that has been described to us. We are treating this complaint as a request for assessment.

If we consider it is unlikely that an organisation has complied with the DPA our aim is to ensure that the organisation understands its obligations and takes any steps necessary to help ensure compliance with the principles either in that particular case or in the future.

It appears there is a posting on www.regulatorwatch.co.uk entitled “Hansard stuff and Mrs C” dated 13 November 2009. Reference is made in the posting to “Happen Files” as a source material. Our complainant believes this refers to confidential files in relation to an organisation called Happen Fostercare Ltd. Among other things, the posting states:-

“But you will need password access to those. Very revealing indeed, we know. Apply to Wilt for password”.

This statement indicates that the files in question are not available to anyone and there may be some sort of vetting process via the moderator of the site before a password to access the relevant information is provided. However, the situation and procedure regarding access to these files is not entirely clear.

The Seventh Data Protection Principle states that:-

“Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data”.

I do not yet have enough information to assess whether www.regulatorwatch.co.uk is likely to have complied with the requirements of the Seventh Data Protection Principle in this case. I would, therefore, be grateful if you could answer the following questions so I can make my assessment:

1.      Please confirm whether or not the “Happen Files” are confidential files in relation to Happen Fostercare Ltd.

2.      If so, please explain why www.regulatorwatch.co.uk has access to this information and what criteria individuals wanting to access the information need to satisfy in order to obtain a password.

I would appreciate it if you could provide a reply within 28 days of the date of this email. If you are unable to do so, please let me know when you will be in a position to provide it. If you need any more information about this matter, please let me know.

Finally you should be aware that the Information Commissioner often receives requests for copies of the letters we send and receive when dealing with casework.  Not only are we obliged to deal with these in accordance with the access provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 (the DPA) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the FOIA), it is in the public interest that we are open, transparent and accountable for the work that we do.

However, whilst we want to disclose as much information as we reasonably can, there will be occasions where full disclosure would be wrong.  It is also important that the disclosures we make do not undermine the confidence and trust in the Commissioner of those who correspond with him.

When you reply to this letter, I would be grateful if you would indicate whether any of the information you provide in connection with this matter is confidential, or for any other reason should not be disclosed to anyone who requests it.  I should make clear that simply preferring that the information is withheld may not be enough to prevent disclosure.  You should have a good reason why this information should not be disclosed to anyone else and explain this to us clearly and fully.

Yours sincerely

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Casework & Advice Officer

Tel: 01625 545 758.

Dear XXXXXXXXXXX

Well Mr Commissioner here is your answer.

First, we did notice you taking a look at Regulator Watch, and we hoped you enjoyed it.

We wonder who may have complained – was it Mrs C or Plaskitt MP who wish the records of Mrs C to be cleansed?  We think you need to examine what exactly Mrs C has put in the public domain herself, supplying file upon file of confidential and personal data to numerous agencies and the media. Indeed misleading and sometimes false data, we would add.

However, that is a matter for you.

Mrs C visits the Blog Regulator Watch three times a day usually – she is obsessed, and that would be putting it mildly.

She complains to her MP, who complains to the House of Commons (who point him to you), to the police who know not who regulator watch is nor it seems cares I am advised as there is nothing unlawful in expressing opinions, and to Ofsted who although frequent visitors to the website are acting beyond their powers – we think the latter need to concentrate on getting their own house in order, especially when it comes to lost files (down the back of filing cabinets) relating to Sharon Shoesmith (of Baby P fame). Of course Mrs C also complains (about the wrong person) to the GSCC who anyway find nothing wrong with the website Regulator Watch and we hate to think who else – Milk Marketing Board possibly?

Hence, you are left with the problem – lucky you!

We hope you liked the website – thousands do judging by traffic reports.

Despite the fact that Regulator Watch is NOT AN ORGANISATION nor is Wilt REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED AS A DATA CONTOLLER I will however indulge you, in public, with an answer to your query.

All data held and/or published on the Regulator Watch website (password protected or not) is already either in the public domain, released under the FOI Act or personal to individuals who have either released it to Regulator Watch and in some instances contained in public court proceedings.  Therefore whoever has access to data (password protected or not) is irrelevant.

The area on the website (password protected) “Happen Files” is a private area and access to which is entirely at my discretion – was that you the other day from Warrington writing to me asking for a password to help with your PhD research? Warrington I think is quite close to the ICO? Naughty boy?

Wilt gets up early in the morning – so do not try to play silly games with him.

“Happen Files” contains nothing which as outlined above is not already public or released under FOI requests or otherwise released from personal files voluntarily by the individuals concerned.

As you were seeking the “Fisher Report” or “Fisher” (as in ex-police officer Dennis Fisher on behalf of Northamptonshire Council) whilst on our website (www.regulatorwatch.co.uk) you will have found nothing relating to it on Regulator Watch. We understand however that your complainant is very desperate to keep this out of the public domain. We wonder why?

Anyway, dear Commissioner, have fun. Best wishes to Mrs C and odd fellow Plaskitt MP – you know that thieving MP soon to become ex MP of his constituency in Warwickshire. Good luck with Mrs C and God bless you – you will needs Gods help with her. But then you already know that, we understand.

Yours sincerely,

Wilt

ps: how is the weather in Warrington and Cheshire – is Opal (TalkTalk) a good package? Personally I use XXXXXX and they are excellent.

Everyone I know in fact dislikes Ofsted – including me. Mind you “dislike” is a bit emotive and probably not helpful. Possibly the description of Ofsted as “dysfunctional” might be better used – it all starts at the “top” you know, i.e. with its Chairman and CEO. The idea of “piss up “ organisational skills and “brewery” come to mind, but that is possibly facile and juvenile.

Again Ofsted are criticised, here in this article: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113666/edlington-scr-summary-vague-says-deputy-childrens-tsar.htm

Who was it that developed these categories of “inadequate”, “good” etc, etc that Ofsted use? Oh I remember – bless him. Well intentioned mate but a firkin nightmare when placed in the hands of those fools at Ofsted.

Ah well – things can only get better. Any worse and I’m off  on the boat somewhere in the Mediterranean with a glass of Cider in one hand and a G&T in the other.

Talking of boats, my planned trip to Malta now finds the vessel nearing its UK staging post for the “big journey” but has a few more way- points yet to complete and some serious upgrading of onboard kit (and my fitness medical) to be completed before we venture forth to Malta.  Optional crew member list is in the process of being shortlisted.

Wilt