Social workers are seriously lacking training on how to spot that children are being targeted online by abusers, according to a survey just published by the British Association of Social Workers and NSPCC (click here to read our story).
Seriously concerning, wouldn't you say?
It's perfectly well-known that this body of people at the front line of protecting the more vulnerable members of our society are being pulled from pillar to post, especially in the light of the ongoing cuts in government services. And as in all walks of life, you get people who are dedicated, smart and good at their jobs … and people who aren't. And as in all walks of life, you tend to hear only about the cases where something has gone wrong, giving the profession something of a bad name. The social workers whom I've had dealings with personally, have deserved nothing but admiration.
But whether you're an electrician, a lawyer, a supermarket employee, a journalist, a teacher or whatever, you need to be equipped with the right tools for the job. In this case, the tools are the proper training. And the time required to do the job, or course.
The findings also beg the question: do other groups of professionals responsible for our children's safety and wellbeing receive the appropriate training to spot the symptoms of this ever-burgeoning threat?
And come to that – are we ourselves, as parents (and grandparents/aunties/uncles/friends) – equipped to spot the the signs?
There's loads of advice out there … start by visiting our page on safeguarding children here.
We're also working with Norton and Neighbourhood Watch on a publicity campaign specifically to provide guidance on parents on how to keep their children safe online. Watch this space.
