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19/03/2010
Six Birmingham Social Workers Sacked
Birmingham City Council has dismissed six social workers who failed to meet acceptable standards.
The staff involved are not connected with the investigation into the council's handling of seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq, who died from severe neglect in 2008.
Colin Tucker, Director of Children’s Social Care, said: "We are very clear that if people do not meet the standards we have set, both frontline staff and managers, we will take robust action.
"We are happy to provide people will all the support they need, but the bottom line is if they do not respond we can not afford to retain them."
Mr Tucker said the action was part of a wider drive to remodel the service.
"[This] includes better training and career development, a clearer definition of roles and better understanding of the expectations we have on staff."
Ofsted has lambasted the council's child services department, and more sackings are predicted.
Eight children known to social services have died in the city in three years.
A serious case review is being held into the death of Khyra Ishaq who suffered from starvation and physical abuse.
Her mother Angela Gordon was jailed last week for 15 years, while Ms Gordon's partner, Junaid Abuhamza, was jailed indefinitely after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Social workers were aware Khyra had been removed from school, and were unable to gain access to the child on their own after being refused entry to her home.
Mr Tucker told the BBC: "We have some brilliant social workers in this city who do a fantastic job in often very difficult circumstances.
"When we interview prospective social workers now, if we are not satisfied they meet the criteria, we will not employ them because that is not good for the children of this city, who deserve the best."
(PR/GK)
The staff involved are not connected with the investigation into the council's handling of seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq, who died from severe neglect in 2008.
Colin Tucker, Director of Children’s Social Care, said: "We are very clear that if people do not meet the standards we have set, both frontline staff and managers, we will take robust action.
"We are happy to provide people will all the support they need, but the bottom line is if they do not respond we can not afford to retain them."
Mr Tucker said the action was part of a wider drive to remodel the service.
"[This] includes better training and career development, a clearer definition of roles and better understanding of the expectations we have on staff."
Ofsted has lambasted the council's child services department, and more sackings are predicted.
Eight children known to social services have died in the city in three years.
A serious case review is being held into the death of Khyra Ishaq who suffered from starvation and physical abuse.
Her mother Angela Gordon was jailed last week for 15 years, while Ms Gordon's partner, Junaid Abuhamza, was jailed indefinitely after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Social workers were aware Khyra had been removed from school, and were unable to gain access to the child on their own after being refused entry to her home.
Mr Tucker told the BBC: "We have some brilliant social workers in this city who do a fantastic job in often very difficult circumstances.
"When we interview prospective social workers now, if we are not satisfied they meet the criteria, we will not employ them because that is not good for the children of this city, who deserve the best."
(PR/GK)
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