MSPs will shortly decide whether social workers alone, or mainly solicitors, should be permitted to act as Child Welfare Reporters. That’s extraordinary because section 8 of the Children (Scotland) Bill has evolved without any clear understanding of what skills are required..1/10

..to do that job or even what the role involves. The Minister and the Bill Team don’t know, yet MSPs are expected to take it on trust that lawyers know best, even in matters in which those lawyers have no demonstrable skill. There's been a complete failure to consult with..2/10

..the Social Work profession or even the Scottish Government's own Chief Social Work Adviser @iona_colvin . In all other parts of the UK this role is carried out by senior, experienced Social Workers yet the reasons for that were not explored and no useful comparisons have..3/10

..been drawn or evidence or justification presented for the incredibly vague measures alluded to in Section 8 of the Bill. Now thanks to @nagalro an expert, balanced view of the respective skills of the social worker & lawyer & their suitability for this role has emerged..4/10

..to inform us: https://cloudup.com/ciWDbzra-Xy 

@nagalro :"It would be a tragedy if these inspirational reforms were to be stymied because one sector of the family justice machinery had not been given a thorough overhaul & made fit for the tasks which are now to be required of it." 5/10

Because lawyers have been acting as Child Welfare Reporters for decades, no-one has thought to question what has become established custom and practice. But this is not legitimate practice, it has become the despotism of custom, where no-one is permitted to question..6/10

..what goes on in the Scottish courts or in the practice of law in Scotland. It has never been decided that lawyers can do this work, they were somehow permitted to fill the void when, 30 years ago, local authority social work depts could not cope with the increased demand..7/10

..for reports for the courts. The lawyers soon secured funding for themselves, of up to £4.6M p.a. in recent times. And under proposals in section 8 of this Bill alone, that budget is set to increase to £7.6M - £9.6M p.a. Where should that money be spent? ..8/10

..With those already skilled & regulated for this delicate work, or on a fanciful idea that lawyers can be trained to do this work in only 4 days. It's time to make the long-overdue decision that lawyers must not be permitted to do this work. Support the stage 3 amendment..9/10

.. by @Liam4Orkney that only social workers may be appointed as Child Welfare Reporters. @JohnFinnieHI @JamesKellyLab @liamkerrMSP

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