Sharon Shoesmith on social workers and the culture of blame

Sharon Shoesmith found herself vilified following the death of Peter Connelly in Haringey, the authority in which she worked as head of children’s services at the time.

More than anyone, she knows what it’s like to feel the full brunt of society’s need to apportion blame whenever a child dies as a result of abuse or neglect.

Writing exclusively in the latest issue of Professional Social Work magazine, she explains the forces at play that lead to social workers being scapegoated in such cases. And, she argues, it’s time politicians and the media took a long hard look at the part they play in fuelling this and the damage it does.

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