Is scandal of children taken from mother by Moray social workers not an isolated case?

In February this year, when coronavirus still felt like another country’s problem, Nicola Sturgeon made a promise to transform the Scottish care system because the “human and economic cost” of the current system was far too great. The grand pledge came after a three-year review of the state care sector which branded it “fractured, bureaucratic and unfeeling”. Those three words couldn’t be more apt for Moray Council and its social work department. Two days ago The Scotsman revealed how a mum, coping with a newly broken marriage, had asked for support for her and her daughters, particularly as her eldest child’s autism was becoming problematic. What followed were events Kafka could never have envisaged in the most twisted of his nightmares. Ultimately the mother lost both her children for nearly two years for no good reason, apart from an over-riding authoritarianism and belief from the social workers that they knew best. A “fractured, bureaucratic and unfeeling” system had played out another episode which had too human a cost; the young girl at the centre of it all is now severely mentally ill and suffering from anorexia. There is no doubt that social workers have one of the most pressured, under-resourced and under-staffed jobs in Scotland, despite having to shoulder much of the responsibility to make sure that Scotland is a place where the government’s catchphrase “Getting It Right for Every Child”, is a reality. Scathing report is required reading Yet the only reason the story of the family from Moray came to light was because the mum, a former civil servant, had the wherewithal to know there was an ombudsman to whom she could complain, and that independent advocacy was available to help her. As a result the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman conducted an investigation and its scathing report is now required reading for every single one of Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Who knows how many other similar situations are never reported? Moray Council’s senior officers have read the inquiry report. But they’ve read similar before as it wasn’t the first SPSO investigation into its social work department. The council’s apology has been mealy-mouthed and only forthcoming because it was ordered to do so. Such a response can’t fill other families with any confidence. Meanwhile, the social workers at the heart of the case have moved onwards – and upwards – and are now running children’s services for other councils, leaving a trail of damage and destroyed lives in their wake. They know who they are of course, and one can only hope they are not sleeping easy. Whether they should still be practising social workers is, of course, a judgement for their professional body. ‘State-sanctioned bullying’ The family at the centre of the story is not alone. Since Wednesday I have been contacted by many other parents, alleging that Moray social work staff left them traumatised, with their complaints ignored. “State-sanctioned bullying” is how one person described it. Of course social workers feel that they’re damned if they do, and even more so if they don’t. It’s a balancing act of incredibly sensitive proportions. But in order for that balancing act to be successful, there needs to be a focus on really listening to what children, and parents, are saying and losing the hubris. Launching her report, Nicola Sturgeon said the heartbreaking stories she’d heard from care-experienced children would live with her forever. But it’s easier to live with someone else’s story than live with the reality. Change needs to happen quickly. A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this article on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription. Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up. Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website. Joy Yates Editorial Director

Is scandal of children taken from mother by Moray social workers not an isolated case? – Gina Davidson