Monday 28 April 2008

How to get from the problem to the solotion?

I have just received a comment which I have pasted below.



I want to focus on this comment, not in a defensive way but in a a constructive way. It suggests that the problem is known yet the the solution is the holy grail.



Before I take this point further I would like you to read the comment, it is as follows:



"Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Response from ex Jersey social worker":



I agree with everything that is being said i.e the benchmark of organisations such as OFSTED. Checks and balances do need putting in place.



Our civil servants and ministers should be held accountable. Our current goverment could well be described as corrupt.But in all honesty you're not telling us anything we don't know or at least nothing that will suprise us.



As I commented previously we, or I need to know what can be done about it all. I'm getting bored with the repetitive stuff of how bad things are.



Most people seem to be happy living in the problem when they should be getting into the solution.



I know it was strongly suggested to you to stand as a candidare for the next elections, something I believe you should consider seriously.I believe you to be a man of high morals, integrity and courage and would get my vote any day of the week.



Senator Syvret already has the market cornered with telling us all how bad things are and how corrupt our goverment is and really has the captive audience on that.



Like I said your blogs are very little new and nothing suprising, you have my upmost respect and sympathy's, but do us a favour and get out of the problem and into the solution!!



Pike Mollard."



I do agree that we have a problem, I do agree that many of us know what the problem is, however, let us consider why policies change, improve and develop in governments.



It is beacuse problems become known, the public become alterted to issues through the media and, in turn, communities demand changes.



Political desicions are driven by the publics demands.



So, the more problems that are brought to light and publicised the more people will in their own way demand change. This can be done through political activist movements, voting or simply not voting.



As I stated in my first blog and my introduction, I want to tell my story. My story is about the problems, the objective was still to tell my story.



The solutions can take many guises for many people. The way I see it - the culture that dominates through Jersey's senior civil servants and politcal spheres is so powerful that a clear and concise solution does not exist.



The activists that are trying to change this culture, such as Senator Syvret, do not enter the battle in order to win the war. They take one step at a time, they chip away in order to weaken the oppressive powers that have ruled for so long.



How therefore, can we make any difference at all?



I see my part in this war as a small part, but nonetheless, it is significant, I have exposed something that the States of Jersey do not want exposed. Why else would Franlk Walker come to oversee the settlement at an employment tribunal of a lowly social worker?



To make a difference it requires a concerted effort. The more people who write into this blog, the more people who expose the truth about the States of Jersey the more dratic the change we will see.

I don't profess to have all the answes I am simply a mouth piece that will allow others to help find the solutions, let us do this together.

Tell me your stories, tell me what you want tol achieve, lets us unite in order to drive change; change for the better within Jersey - that is the solution to our problems.

Response from ex Jersey social worker

Yesterday I posted a comment from a reader who had responded to a previous comment left by an ex social worker.

The ex social worker has now responded to clarify the situation and I have pasted that response below.

"Dear all,

Ex Jersey social worker here.

When I left the main reasons were to do with culture of secrecy/ lack of feeling able to complain about poor practice without feeling very vulnerable. In my opinion the overall systems were not in place to protect children in care ie inspection by UK CSCI/Ofsted (even though probation and prisons are inspected by Uk inspectorates), poor feedback form partner agencies about the functions of child care systems in jersey (voluntary and statutory partners) plus lots of bureaucratic bits about policies not being followed.

Yes I did ask about childcare availability and flexible working for child care both of which I was informed was available at interview. Neither was available in social services when I arrived (even though there was a states flexible working policy, which curiously applied to all depts except social services) but that wasn't why I left! I could have coped with that! No there was a whole host of other issues which I wont go into.

Individual staff do a good job but in my opinion the overall performance monitoring of the child protection processes are not up to the job. I left, but until CSCI/OFsted undertake regular inspections of child care in jersey there will always be a nagging doubt.

Why OFsted? Well, to performance manage child care you need to do what they call "benchmarking " a service against a set of fixed criteria. The process also needs to include feedback from young people and families who receive the service.

Children would need to have absolute confidence the people they are talking to to give feedback are independent and objective and able to take action against poor practice if reported.

For these reasons, and thinking about recent jersey childcare history the
"inspectors " would need to be from the uk and experienced in inspecting childcare services.

OFSTED are the only group with this experience. It would also bring child care into line with Prison and Probation departments. So far the govt has had numerous one off reports ie kathy bull andrew williamson etc but no "Benchmarking" against set criteria.

Its obvious really so I am not sure what the delay is! Can any one think of why?Anon"

If the author of the first comment would like to respond to the 'ex social worker' it would be appreciated.

Has anyone got any views about this? What do people feel is needed? Do people think that the States of Jersey need to introduce regular independent 'checks and balances' to regulate their services for children and young people?

I fully support this notion, however, if this is all that is needed why has the prison service received 3 scathing reports and yet still fails on virtually every assessed standard? The service has now received a financial boost from the States of Jersey but my theory is that this has been a reactive damage limitation excercise as a result of the child abuse scandal and not as a result of the reports themselves. I think that the world media raised the accountability stakes - something Jersey's senior civil servants and politicians need so very desperately to improve public services for the islands most vulnerable people.

It would be great to get some views on this. Also, please, if you can register a name, still stay anonymous but use a fictitious name so that it is easier to follow the communicate with each other.