From the Poor Law to a family centred approach, Bob Holman's book gives a clear concise and often humorous journey through the early struggles of the Child Care Officers many of whom have become household names in the child care service.

The book also highlights the achievements of the Children's Departments and is a reminder to those of us at the client face of the fundamental basics that both workers and agencies should be striving for.

Having been involved in the provision of care since 1980 I often feel that I have been around a long time and see myself as an experienced worker. After reading this book I now realise that this view of myself is both naïve and a little arrogant.

By putting together a series of interviews with eighteen former Children's Officers and two Home Office Inspectors Bob Holman successfully manages to paint a picture of early endeavour, struggle and very committed individuals.

I was surprised at how little by way of resources the Children' Officers had to start with and how little experience workers had, but despite this still managed to build up and provide a valuable and necessary service thanks to large amounts of initiative, commitment, passion and on occasions some unorthodox actions. Having known Barbara Kahan for a while, I had a mildly amusing picture of a 4 year old boy having to share her bed and kicking Barbara in the back all night.

Many of the interviews with the former officers highlighted the need to break down closed communities. Barbara Kahan refers to an incident when she had to take a young girl to an approved school in Staffordshire and the headmistress's comment was "Thank you very much, but she is our problem now, not yours. Goodbye". In an interview with Alfred Leeding he refers to a group of homes for which he was responsible as the 'homes empire'. I would suggest that these stories are timely reminders for all of us that an open community is much healthier and safer for children.

Perhaps the most amusing piece for me was in Brian Roycroft's interview. When Brian started his first job as a Children's Officer in Gateshead in 1964 the Town Clerk sent him out to buy a bowler hat in which to attend Council Meetings. Although I would be the first to say that standards should be maintained I do hope some of our priorities have changed.

Not all of Bob Holman's book is set in the past and the last two chapters explore the possibilities for the future.

I have found this book to be both an enjoyable and useful read.

As someone who has a strong desire to see a safe professional and humane care service for young people, understanding the endeavours and mistakes of the past is invaluable. We have a tendency to believe that the problems we are experiencing now are new, but in reality they are not. Bob Holman's book has given me a much fuller view of the child care service in this country.

RD

Top

Main Menu