Dispatches

Comments

1. I find it appalling when one entirely blames the Health Care System or Health Visitors (as this programme did)for children who have been neglected. What about social systems and duties we all have towards our families? Don't grandparents, uncles and aunties of the children affected play a role? In this programme, grandparents themselves blamed the system. Were they blind to the obvious or sheer dumb. It is easy to shift the blame. But these are parents who didn't keep an eye on their own children.

   Posted by Kavita Narasimhan on 22/07/2009 13:17:35

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2. I have read the comments below after watching the film and all I can say to agencies, health professionals, courts etc is that the truth hurts and the contents of this programme IS THE TRUTH!

   Posted by herd on 17/07/2009 23:59:39

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3. It is hardly surprising that the issue of child abuse and the protection of children is so controversial especially when watching programmes such as this from Dispatches. I'm an 18 year old female and as from September I will be studying for a degree in Social Work.- Yes! Social Work! I was pleased to see that this programme highlighted the fact that the majoirty of cases do NOT involve a social worker and it actually(not in so many words) gave Social Workers a slight bit of praise. However I am not ignoring that in some cases Social Workers didn't do enough to protect the children and their families and were not complying to the ideas and regulations of what a Social Worker should be. I agree that there is SO SO much that needs to be done to prevent harm and abuse to children BUT as I know myself, as humans it is always a lot easier to pass the blame. In a lot of cases like these on the programmes, it is evident that it is not the primary fault or responsibilty of just one single person to protect the children and their families! More could be done by many people, not just those in the health care profession to help prevent tragedies such as these. It states in Dispatches that a lot of sectors in the care system are suffering and failing through lack of resources and staff. It is because of the scrutiny that these health care professionals recieve, that there are such small numbers of professionals available. Lots of my friends think I'm crazy for wanting to become a social worker, simply because of the bad press that social workers get! The statistics of abuse, and deaths of children are far too high, I agree. But, on the other hand I think people should realise how small these numbers are in comparison to the number of lives that have been saved, soley because of the actions of those in the health care profession.

   Posted by HDL on 17/07/2009 15:07:15

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4. What a pity you did not compare the situation in England with the Children's Panel approach in Scotland. A missed opportunity to link the 2 approached and see if there was a way of working which combined them both. Might I suggest that if you have an interest in this subject you do some research on the Children's Panel with a view to doing a Dispatches episode on this very worthwhile topic. All Panel members are volunteers and the overarching principle they work under is that "the welfare of the child is paramount". Things can and do go wrong, sadly that is a human flaw, however the Panel system tries hard to address issues surrounding vulnerable children. Certainly the Panel can and does impose conditions around contact visits with parents and their children and will, if considered necessary for the welfare of the child, impose a condition of no contact or supervised contact - usually with a time restriction around length of contact. Supervised contact also usually takes place outwith the family home and in a safe environment. Again, I would urge you to look at the Children's Panel system in Scotland and consider a programme devoted to it. I was also sad to note that Peter did not advocate that flagging up concerns around the care and safety of a child is not just the province of social workers. Teachers, doctors and nurses, health visitors, police, family members, friends and neighbours can all flag up their concerns. Perhaps work needs to be done to publicise this instead of niavely seeming to lay the blame solely with social workers - whose case load is very often far higher than it should be and often due to staff shortages.

   Posted by FMK on 17/07/2009 13:03:53

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5. I do beleive that there was a large degree of naivity in Peter Obourne's investigation, not to mention one sidedness. Peter Obourne seemed to be advocating that the problem was that social workers and others were unable to predict these tragic deaths. Unfortunatly when social workers sign up for the job they are not provided with a crystal ball in their induction package in order to forsee who gets murdered, when and where. Yes we carry out risk assessments, but Peter Obourne seemed to think that these should be 100% foolproof and be able to forsee exactly how people are going to behave for the rest of their lives. People are unpredictale, and as social workers we have very little power to control their actions every minute of the day, unless of course we go back to institutionalising every signle person, who may at some point pose some risk to themselves or another. I am so disapointed that a respected documentary such as dispatches has jumped on the 'let's scapegoat social workers' bandwagon. What about the hundreds of thousands of children that we protect every year? when are they ever talked about? Peter talked about one of the problems being the difficulty in recruiting social workers, and that because of this social worker are carrying ridiculously high case loads, making an already tough job even more impossible. Unfortuanly his slamming of the profession is only now going to serve to increase this problem further. This is Britian's toughest job, we do an awful lot of good work that goes completley unrecognised. It's about time social workers started sticking up for themselves.

   Posted by Jamie on 15/07/2009 14:42:42

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6. Having spent 5 years in and out of the family courts in an effort to protect my own children from my abusive ex-partner my experience bears out the findings of this programme. Local Social Services departments will often tell you that the issue that you have is a civil one and not a child protection issue, especially if court orders granting unsupervised contact are already in place and furthermore they do not keep complete records of telephone conversations that have been made by parents or family members reporting concerns about children returning from contact visits, especially if these concerns are of an emotional or psychological nature. Secondly, Family Courts work on the premise, when parents are separated or divorced, that unsupervised contact with the other parent is always good for children despite any fears and concerns that the resident parent may have raised about the children's physical or emotional safety during visits or any evidence of domestic violence that was experienced by them either during the relationship or after it ended. This I believe is fuelled by distrust, on the part of the family courts, of any information that is given by parents themselves in court proceedings, assuming rather that this is mud slinging as a result of relationship breakdown. I believe that all of the above has meant that my own children have suffered a good deal more physical and emotional harm than they ever needed to over the past 5 years. There is however light at the end of the tunnel in my case and therefore advice that I feel I can offer to anyone else who has real concerns about their children's safety during contact visits with their other parent. Engage actively with all the professionals who are in your children's lives - this for me is the key to successfully protecting your children. Tell the children's school what you fear is happening to them and they will then inform social services of any difficulties, worrying or disturbing behaviour that they notice the children are experiencing and any risk that they feel the child is at. Take the children to your family doctor or health visitor with any injuries that your children say have been deliberately inflicted upon them by their other parent, however minor and again the doctor will have a duty to inform social services under current child protection guidelines. Social Services keep very good records (more often than not) of referrals that they receive from other agencies, such as schools and the medical profession and take these much more seriously than reports that come from parents, acting upon them and carrying out assessments, whereupon the children themselves will then be given an opportunity through words or behaviour to inform social workers about what is happening to them and how they feel. This in turn forms a body of evidence which, once placed before a court, will carry much more weight than anything you have to say. Courts like to act upon the advice and evidence of social services, schools and doctors much more readily than they like to act upon the fears of concerned parents. Sad but true, however once you understand and accept this, by working actively with the other agencies that are involved in your children's lives you will be able achieve the same goal. That goal is to protect your children and not allow them to become another statistic in another programme like the one that has just been shown.

   Posted by Cookie on 15/07/2009 13:38:13

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7. Health visitors, doctors, social workers and employers of social worker are all required to work to national codes of conduct, of which most (except doctors) seem blissfully unaware. I was surprised that none of the SCR's seemed to result in disciplinary action. There is nothing in these codes that says being overworked is a justification for non-compliance. Anyone who feels that they have been let down by these publically paid officials is entitled to report an alleged breach of the code to the relevant Council.

   Posted by Peter on 15/07/2009 11:29:51

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8. I was shocked by many of the disclosures un-earthed in your programme last night. I wondered at the figure of 1 in 7 children a week attacked by parents. Within a charity I have been campaigning for positive changes to the system, following my own distressing experiences of a sad incident back in 1992 and loss of a child. Back then I was told very few children were killed in UK and therefore I had no-one to share the absurd events with that followed in media and authority. Distressing and sad they were I had thought since our charitable campaign and the final reports that came from The Victoria Kimberley Enquiry, that children stood a better chance in life. However the Dispatches report showed a present failing of all the improvements that we have strived to put in place and protect children. There are always moves to improve and help children, but I strongly feel the society in which we live needs further educating in the care of those who live amongst us and be prepared to help. However, I still meet those who are strong enough to continue the campagn and question the way in which authority works for children. Especially the courts who decide on the parental care of a child and the effects that family will have. The incident which I mentioned the only other person other myself able to flag up the difficulties and threats was the health visitor. But back then these were ignored by authority.. Communication was later heavily critisized in 1994 right across the board from education, social workers , police and courts. That meeting was not attended by myself or the health visitor. It was also was kept out of the public eye and it was only with Victoria Kimberly 10 years later were all the critisms brought again to the fore. I felt for the parents in your report who will have to live with their sad losses.. as the memories of what those children went through will never be forgotten.

   Posted by wulfrunah on 14/07/2009 17:42:41

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9. Thank you for highlighting truth- difficult as it is for society to accept. I know 6 children removed from a loving home and placed in the care of the state where they were all abused sexually, drugged and raped, tortured, sold for sex for 6 years- and CHILD PROTECTION SOCIAL WORKERS, GUARDIANS, JUDGES, LORD JUSTICES all knew as social workers had documented it all themselves, but did nothing. I asked the LA Barrister why they did not take the foster carer to court and she replied, as she sneered- "Oh we do not take ourselves to court."

   Posted by Lillith on 14/07/2009 16:55:14

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10. Thank you for highlighting the need for more awareness of children from abusive parents. My daughter had been in an abusive marriage but her ex has dragged things through the courts for access to his daughter. In the end he gained a court order allowing him unsupervised access and an overnight stay once a fortnight. The courts didn't want to know anything of what had happened in the marriage. My daughter tried everything to protect her child. I had thought the courts were there to protect children, but this experience has made me realise how much children are at risk and that the courts don't seem to care. How can children be protected if the courts won't listen to people's concerns and worries. Every time my grandaughter spends time with her father we worry until she's back again. Until more action is taken to protect vulnerable children then more children are going to be hurt or killed.

    Posted by Glenis on 14/07/2009 15:21:26

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11. Every death of a child is a tragedy, quite simply the number of children murdered by their parents hardly registers in the statistics, far more children are killed by poorly fitted child seats, hospital blunders & sids.

    Posted by Stolen Generation on 14/07/2009 12:23:28

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12. Thank you Dispatches for highlighting the let-downs by local authorities. My son was born feb 2005 by july '05 I called the police to report my childs father for mental & pysical assualt on me. I received a letter from local council saying they were leaving it in my hands. By 2007 I had reported to police over 5 times of assault by my ex. NOTHING was done for us, even though I was scared for my life & pleading for there help. In the end he had me tied up by hands & feet, kept me in his flat with our son & was going to kill me. Thankfully we got out but when I reported him again the social work dept told me they were never told of any domestic violence in my home. That made me shudder. I then took my son & fled our home. With interdicts, bail ect I thought we'd be ok?? How wrong was I!! He then had the right to take me to court for access to our son. Thankfully he never turned up the 2nd time at court as I had pulled together evidence & had refernces from friends & family but he can take me back to court whenever he wants. If he was ever to gain access I'd have to take my son & run for our lifes. It is very very sad & extremelly disapointing that these local authorities still dont keep in touch. My health visitor at the time knew what was going on & even said to me she was "frightend" of him even when they passed in the street - but done nothing. Even after the assualt & abduction charge the childrens reporter said she was happy to leave it in my capable hands. That was the thing I wasnt capable of doing much esp as I was scared to death of him. Thankfully I pulled the strength together to run & never go back & will never allow access to my beautiful boy. The same cannot be said for those poor beautiful children & babies who have lost there lifes at the hands of monsters (fathers). My heart goes out to there familys. This country needs to pull together and report if they hear or see something that indicates abuse of children. Parents have to be listend to & children must have someone to talk to outwith the family so they feel safe enough to talk. I count my blessings as it could have been so much worse. I hope & pray everyday never to see the monster who is supposed to be my sons father!!!

    Posted by Gail on 14/07/2009 10:31:05

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13. Whats the point in Social Services, I reported my concerns about 4 kids and not a thing was done, I had so much evidence and yet I didn't even get a call back to speak to someone in depth about them. Do they really even care??!!

    Posted by WILLOW on 14/07/2009 09:40:40

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14. Nick, you are so wrong. I know this situation to well as I suffered domestic violence from my ex partner. He abused my son & has been allowed contact with my baby daughter. He abused her also but is still allowed to see her. She is a baby & can not tell me how she has suffered, although injuries give it away. He will kill her or someone if left alone. He is a dangerous man & I feared for my life from him. The programme was excellent and as part of a huge group of mothers in the same situation, we applaud this. Myself and many others are let down by the courts on a daily basis & watch our children suffer at social services mistakes. My daughter already has. The situation is very real. Too many people bury their heads in the sand through ignorance or denial. Its time to take notice before more lives are lost.THE PROGRAMME WAS SPOT ON!! WELL DONE CHANNEL 4

    Posted by R Fox on 14/07/2009 09:19:33

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15. The programme highlighted the failures, all to often the social services say it is a civil matter, if they looked at police reports, talked to the schools, seen the children with each parent and on their own, they would soon discover that something was wrong. If anyone is going through this, try to keep a diary, or get a friend or relative to do it for you.

    Posted by LORRAINE SMITH on 14/07/2009 07:11:24

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16. for almost 10 years i've been through hell protecting my daughter from my violent,abusive,drug addict ex husband.i know my fears are right and i'm not just a dramatic neurotic female.but no-one really hears what i say,from all authorities.i am expecting my ex to take me to court again and i had decided to represent myself in court,no solicitor involvement wanted at all this time.i would like to say thank you,this particular programme couldnt of come at a better time for me.its made me more determined and given me some much needed strength.more should be done,the authorities need to start listening instead of text referencing!all i ever hear is 'it might be different soon',well in 14 years that man hasnt changed,i certainly havent nor will ever take any chances even if the authorities decide they will.much sympathy to all the families.

    Posted by su on 13/07/2009 22:28:53

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17. I feel so disheartened by our societys failure to protect these poor baby children. From the maliputive parents to the parents who clearly have problems, and who suffers, the innocent. I and my partner asked to be foster parents, we were doing so well in the interview, until I said that I smoked cigerettes, I also said that I smoked outside of the house. To this I was told that I couldnt take care of young babies to 2yr olds. I will be truthful I was devistated. I could of lied and said I didnt smoke, but I wanted to be a foster parent so bad I told the truth. Now to watch your programe and to hear the most gut reanching crimes against children my heart is aching. I want to say..I'm here I'm a wonderful loving parent who loves children...Give me a chance to help...

    Posted by Babbsm on 13/07/2009 22:15:43

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18. i thought ur show was very good in makin people aware of what goes on behind closed doors..im in the same suituation as lyn philcock only my child is still alive...so far

    Posted by were the same on 13/07/2009 22:14:16

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19. No I disagree Dr U, whether you like the presenter or not is irrelevant the issue that was raised was a good one. It was a story that needed to be told and that is what Dispatches are good at. Hopefully this will have an effect on current legislations and hopefully lives will be saved. Everyone has a bug to bear with the Daily mail (yes it's a rubbish paper!) but the episode was gripping and I think they did a great job.

    Posted by Brilliant on 13/07/2009 21:53:26

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20. This is amongst the worst and most deceptive pieces of journalism I have come across. Peter Oborne starts from the premise that no child death is acceptable, but he studiously fails to examine how much harm he is willing to do in the name of preventing harm. That is if every possible risk indicator necessitates the removal of a child or the denial of contact - how many children will be taken into care, how many parents denied contact - and what will come of them. He cites that one child a week is killed in the home in the UK. There are sixty million people in the UK, more than 10 million are children (pre-teens). By Peter Oborne's figures, a child in the UK has a less that 1 in 20,000 chance of being killed by their parents. Children in Britain are far more likely to be denied contact with one or both their parents by social workers who fear they might be harmed by their parents. They are far more likely to die from accidents on the road, or even by natural causes. **Every death is a tragedy, but mass abduction of children by the state is a cure that will harm more than it will save.** If the rate of child abuse is to be further reduced, it will be by reducing the stresses which precipitate domestic breakdown - not by the draconian dystopia so piously advocated by Peter Oborne.

    Posted by Nick on 13/07/2009 21:29:47

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21. I feel really disappointed by this episode of dispatches. Mr Osborne took a very complex topic, a topic that has ran rings around child psychiatrists, criminologists, social workers, the police to mention but a few and turned it into a hollywood movie in a way that only the Daily Mail could have done. And in typical Daily Mail fashion he presented it with a serious face. Suddenly Mr Osborne has found the cure to all these problems, a cure that was staring the professionals and the judges in the eye, but which they so stupidly ignored. To suggest that the death of a child can be prevented by simply stopping contact with a father who is seen acting bizarely in the garden of his estranged wife is just too simplistic to put it politely. And to suggest that each time a parent (mother or father) reports that the child is "emotionally" affected by contact with the other parent the court should seek to stop contact simply displays a very poor knowledge of the whole topic. There were cases in the programme where parental mental illness might have been given greater attention and the programme did highlight that. But my advice to Mr Osborne is, if you are going to report on such a topic next time, please do more work.

    Posted by Dr Umoh on 13/07/2009 21:11:16

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22. Unfortunately didn't see most of the prog altho meant to - it purported to cover BRITAIN'S betrayed children but as usual with 'Dispatches' expect only englandshire would be covered - no mention of recent horror cases 'in scotland' or n ireland. 'Local authorities' would be those in englandshire as would 'social services' etc - no recognition of those separate ones under scots law / rules or the law of n ireland - are things any better/worse/the same in those other parts of BRITAIN/UK working under different rules/laws from england?? Even wales' local authorities have autonomy from englandshire and prob operate under different rules re child protection. Was any of this covered?

    Posted by jim adamson on 13/07/2009 20:47:08

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23. Well done to channel 4 for bringing this issue to the forefront of the people. I wonder why anyone would ever feel at peace with our Goverment knowing that most of these children have died and these killings of young lives could have been prevented. Labout must and need to do more. I strongly feel even after baby P the Goverment and Local Authorities will never invest the right resources and money. To allow us the british people to have the best child services we can in the world. Afterall we are one of the richest nations. It makes me so mad. Why cant we bring more of this to the forefront and make this a massive point for our Goverments and Local Authorities to see that there is no excuse allowed for a young innocent child not to have the right to life and be protected at all times and at any cost. No matter what. Lets be over cautious and give the rights to the ones who sometimes never have a voice. Enough excuses and more just doing. Please...It has to happen no matter what...

    Posted by Daniel Blake on 13/07/2009 20:45:13

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