Positive Practice
	Editor - David Lane

There are some things which are constants. People always moan about the Government. Children have less respect for their elders than in the past. And if you ask them how things are at work, it's a pretty safe bet that they will say that morale is low.

This is a matter of particular importance in the wake of the Waterhouse Report. We are told that there are eighty police inquiries on the go at present into the abuse of children and young people in residential or foster care. Indeed, it is suggested that forces are vying with each other as to whose inquiry is biggest. That centring on Kingswood in Bristol is said to be covering three decades and, as it was an assessment centre, thousands of former residents, with a likely time-scale of five years' investigation.

It is understandable if people are looking over their shoulder to watch where the next allegation is coming from. Colleagues who were thought to be highly professional are found to have abused children. Rough practice which was commonly acceptable twenty years ago in some homes is now seen to have been abusive. There is talk of fabricated allegations to obtain damages. Police are asking for former clients to come forward, even if the alleged offences were over thirty years ago. Obviously, past abuse has to be addressed, but the prevalence of inquiries does not help staff feel secure. Let us hope that the current spate of investigations deals with every skeleton in the cupboard, so that, once they are completed, we can look forward to a more stable period, knowing that every reasonable step has been taken to deal with past abuse.

This is important for three reasons.

First, those who suffered clearly deserve redress. In the worst cases, they have been haunted by the memories of their experiences, and the paying of damages to them can be no more than a token gesture to acknowledge what happened and to indicate publicly that it should not have happened. No one can make it right again, and it can only be hoped that time and life experience help former victims come to terms with the abuse they suffered.

Secondly, the range of measures now in place or being developed by the Government should mean that abuse of the sort recounted in the Waterhouse Report is much less likely to occur again. Because of human nature, nothing can be guaranteed, and ongoing vigilance will be necessary, but there should be a number of safety devices which can stop it before it goes far, and abusers may be weeded out or deterred from the start. If so, once the backlog of allegations is dealt with, the service should be able to settle down.

Thirdly, an atmosphere of unease and suspicion does not make for positive practice. If adults are to work successfully with children and young people who have suffered seriously or who present major behaviour problems, they need to be self-confident, knowing that they will be supported in difficult situations. If they are to help children face their problems or if they are to challenge young people, there will be tense and threatening situations from time to time when risks may need to be taken and when it would be wrong to back off. Staff who are insecure may well fall back on an easier, less challenging line which leaves them less open to possible criticism.

The children and young people need adults to work with them who are positive role models, who are in control of themselves, who relate well, who are patient, who give the impression that personal problems can be managed if properly addressed, who are one step ahead of the children, who can use humour appropriately, who actually like children and value them for what they are, seeing them as having futures worth investing in. Staff who are tense and do not enjoy the job may well give the wrong message.

A positive atmosphere will not just happen. It will not be enough to excoriate the abusers and lay down rules for the future conduct of staff. To create a positive atmosphere, we need a lead from the Government, the support of employers, good training from the colleges, the backing of local communities and the commitment of childcare workers themselves. It will take time but it is vital to the welfare of children and young people in generations to come, and it will be well worth the effort.

Just a thought.......... "Charm is a way of getting the answer yes without asking a clear question." - Albert Camus, French author (1913-1960).

 

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