BASW confronts ‘irresponsible’ practice of naming and shaming social workers

BASW has hit out at recent media articles that name individual social workers in high-profile child protection cases, a practice they say risks “inciting the court of public opinion” and thereby threatening the safety of professionals.

A number of BASW members raised the alarm with their professional association last week in relation to how certain media outlets were reporting on the tragic death of Preston Davey. Despite several professionals being involved in multi-agency decisions about the case, only social workers were being named in the reports, sparking fears of abuse and threats being made against the individuals and their families.

BASW has always been unequivocally clear on this matter – the naming of social work professionals in this way will not, and never will, be tolerated.

Not only does the safety risk, both online and in-person, caused by such action vastly outweigh any public interest defence, but social workers are already accountable professionals who are rightly subject to stringent processes of accountability, specifically where professional practice may need to be investigated. It is imperative that these proper procedures are followed and respected at all times.

In response to the reports, BASW contacted the media outlets concerned, such as the BBC, to challenge them on this practice and seek assurances that similar future instances will not occur. BASW has also this week written to fellow professional bodies across the UK urging them to join us in condemning this irresponsible approach to naming and shaming ahead of formal investigations. Read the full letter here.

BASW Interim CEO, Professor Sam Baron said:

“We are all deeply upset and angry at the shocking and sickening murder and abuse of Preston Davey. Our thoughts continue to be with Preston’s family at this difficult time.

"In such circumstances, it is critical that due process is now allowed to be carried out – meaning a child protection safeguarding review is undertaken and completed – so that we can understand, lessons can be learned and steps taken to prevent this type of tragedy from ever happening again.

“It is not for the media to take this matter into their own hands and, in doing so, risk provoking threats and abuse of social workers. At this time, we need to avoid polarised positions of complex situations. Their priority should be to uphold a duty of care to all involved by reporting on the case sensitively, accurately and fairly.

“BASW will not stand for any instances to the contrary and, while the vast majority of media outlets did report sensibly, we have challenged articles that have risked inciting the court of public opinion.

“The safety and wellbeing of our members and the wider social work profession is something that we take extremely seriously.”

BASW wants to assure members that support is available for anyone who has been affected by this matter and/or the details of the Preston Davey case, which has deeply impacted us all. Please use the links below for relevant support.