So What to do?. Blow the Whistle - Its not as simple as people would think as from the management to the union down there will be friction, threats etc for an idea I would watch the film Serpico which is a true story, however there are whistleblowers within most of the departments and it is through them that familiies and individuals can get that gleam of help when all is agasnt them.

If you are a CARING individual then WHY accept BAD practice - That part is simple - Can you imagine the sheer horror that some parents have been placed in - Come on, a social workers job is to empathise, empathise the scenario when those parents are sitting there watching their family dissolve on what? anonymous unfounded allegation, digression from a child due to leading and closed questioning, a hunch! Maybe these people aren't in the "in" crowd and live in scruffy places and like a drink but does that make them ABUSIVE parent's?

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING ON YOUR CONSCIENCE - PUT IT RIGHT TODAY!!!

I will not deny that it would be hard, that your colleagues will not thank you but blowing the whistle is an encouraged and accepted stance as the government is fully aware of the closure of ranks within social services departments. It was remembered that this happened with the various police departments in the 70's and '80s and widespread reform was brought about, not 100% successful but delivery of service is a million times better than it was then.

What to do?

• Build up a dossier of unrefuteable events, actions and decisions, make sure that these are recorded in context too so that it can be seen how and why these things occured to prevent it being classed down as a singular offence, you will need to present a fate d' accompli and leave them no room to come back at you, this is how you protect yourself from the managers and the union's wrath as they could not act so in the face of a dossier full of damning evidence.
• Don't confide in anyone of your intentions, this is very serious and a small indiscretion could mean the ruin of it all, make copies only and do not keep the originals and make sure you are not doing anything illegal by holding documents at your home which could be claimed as "stolen"
• Carry work on as normal, don't radically change your workload or draw attention to your self, this may sound a bit like a passage from an Ian Fleming book but many departments have their own watchers and spy's who report to the team managers of sudden changes in behaviour, apperent unease with orders or instructions.
• Take legal advice privately, do not use your departments legal department for this but find a good solicitor that you can trust and make sure he has recorded your intentions as there could be some mud flinging later on.
• Don't hold back anything, admit if it has happened that you were forced to act unprofessionally/illegally/immorally, admit that you were forced to cover a colleague, by doing so you will show to the world that you have stood up, whistle blowing is very popular in the states and occurring more often over here, if you dally too much or withold pertinent facts then another whistleblower in your department could in fact cite you as a bad worker and you will have no protection.
• When the balloon goes up, expect suspension and some managerial posturing, immediately gather support from respectable organisations like the BASW, challenge people with the dossier you have saying to them if they endorse such practice, if you have done your work the right way then you will be surprised who will support you as it would be foolish to fly in the face of such evidence.
• You could do this anonymously BUT remember to do so would mean YOU could be investigated as no-one will know you posted the information - If however you wish to keep it anonymous, you are under no obligation to present your name and the people dealing with this will be grateful for the information you provide.

I personally do not want any details of your name, dept or area, use the contact page and just put in the subject pane "I want to blow the whistle", use a hotmail or yahoo account for this, I will then pass on your email address to someone who will take up correspondance with you, from there on it will be that person or office that will deal with you.

I will put a whistleblowing counter on the front page though as a reflection of how many have taken the bold step to fight for justice in the home and in the workplace.

If of course you want to tell us about it after the event, it would greatly aid the work we do by showing action and conclusion, it will give parents hope that maybe one day they will get a fair deal and of course your conscience will be clear and it will go around the departments that you will not cross the line and you will have an effect on all around you.

GOOD LUCK!

RPSSUK