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SOCIAL WORKERS!

“Q: Whats the difference between a social worker and a Rottweiler?

A: You’ll get you child back from a Rottweiler”.

I’VE MET A LOT OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN MY TIME BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER EVER MEETING A GOOD ONE!

This topic is on my mind currently because I am trying to help a lady in her 80s who has recently moved into a care home.

As a result ALL her pension now goes to the care home and her son has to add £40 a week to that.

She was also on the care and mobility components on DLA – Disablity Living Allowace. They have taken all that from her.

So, the poor old lady has ZERO income now.

We know the namevof her nominated social worker.

The old lady, frail and on a zimmer called into the social workers office and some screamed at her that she didnt have a spcial worker!

I then decided to contact the social worker on her behalf? I’ve been ringing for over a week now and I get nothing but put offs and lies.

They’ve promised me a call back a dozen times and they have never bothered.

They are determined not to deal with the matter and its a waste of tome complaining to their bosses. The bosses are worse.

A number of years ago I represented a friend of mine whose marriage had broken up.

The female social workers conspired with the ex wife to see to it that my friend never got to see his two girls since – 10 years now.

I get the impression that most social workers are really screwed up individuals, unhappy, miserable, people hating and get an unhealthy pleasure from hurting vulnerable people.

They also, very frequently, lie through their teeth.

To be avoided at all costs!

81 replies on “SOCIAL WORKERS!”

Bishop Pat, Ffs, don’t get me started at this hour of the night about social worker and social workers.
You’re right. Avoid. Don’t let them in the front door. I could tell shocking true tales about social work interventions or rather interference. They are agents of social control for the State. I know of several families, ruined through social workers , families who subsequently sued the State and won massive compensation due to gross negligence. Talk about cover ups! You think the church is bad! Enough said.

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I rarely agree with you Patsy, but you are spot on about social workers I had experience with them during my late sisters illness. I never met such incompetence and couldn’t care less attitude at a very difficult time for our family. I hope we never have to have any dealings with them again.

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Not surprising when you consider the origins of social work in charitable work done by the church in mediaeval times. As time went on and particularly in the 19th century the charitable works became drawn into the state, and it became a profession. And just look at the state the state is in!
I am a mental health nurse and have known some very good social workers, but all ones who are fed up to the back teeth with the politics in their job. I knew one who worked nights on call for years in child protection simply because she couldn’t face the idea of actual social work in an office with reams of paperwork. There are good social workers but you won’t meet them in social work because the system is screwed!

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Sadly, I am in general agreement. I am not a social worker but work for the Education Authority (NI) in the field of Special Educational Needs. I have met a couple of good eggs (proactive about referring children and young people on to me) but in the main I have never met a profession so made up of people who fail to respond to e-mails and telephone calls as much. Are they swamped or is there a culture of not caring? Is there a toxic mentality amongst many social workers in NI of being better than the very people they are supposed to be helping? I don’t know. But Pat’s words certainly resonate.

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I don’t think it’s an either /or. They are both swamped but it’s also a culture of not caring.
The establishment stinks, so the system also stinks. People are compromised, however, the mortgage must be paid. At the moment Tusla, down south, are advertising for social workers with a starting salary of 40k.
Tulsa can’t get social workers to fill positions. Its rotten.

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That about sums them up Pat, the whole system is rotten any social worker I knew that was any good quit.

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Off topic but important;
Roman Catholic Bishops in the United States voted Wednesday to launch an independent national hotline for fielding complaints of sexual abuse or cover up of members of the clergy and hierarchy. Implementation details must be worked out,.
Let’s have same from the Bishops in the Ireland and Great Britain.
The State could set up a similar hotline for complaints against State employees, including social workers.

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I am dismayed by the tone of today’s posting. Are we going to have jobsworth of the day with a few one liner vilifications before moving on to the next one? Teachers! Bus Drivers! Police! Politicians! All rich fields for criticism just like every job. Indeed there are appalling cases where social workers fail miserably including two very recently involving Northamptonshire County Council, and I don’t doubt the system needs reform. However, I would suggest our brief is to focus on the Roman Catholic Church where we have real experience and knowledge we can share to focus on abuses, highlight corruption, and maybe work towards real change. Ordinations coming up at this time of year – any observations in the public interest? What happened to the short-lived ministry of Conor McCarthy in Down and Connor? Any news of Rory Coyle or Daniel Seward? Is Michael Byrne exercising his ministry as a Deacon? And what about the seminarian from Galway in New York, who was promoted on RTE as Ireland’s Curé d’Ars – still looking good or no longer with us?

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10:50am
Don’t forget, there are individuals in the institutional catholic church, particularly in religious orders, who are professionally qualified social workers. Church criminality, corruption and abuse, didn’t occur in a vacuum.

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11.20: That’s all 10.50 wants. Gossip to given him a thrilling fantasy especially about M. Byrne. You are a stupid, sick man, 10.50. Act maturely, you imbecilic fool.

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I knew a young social worker who had dealings with a social worker team. This social work team were subsequently investigated by government and health authorities, for gross incompetence, mismanagement, and mishandling of a very serious familial situation, involving child sexual abuse. The young social worker was scapegoated by members of this team, to deflect responsibility from them, in a very serious, but separate, similar matter. The social worker had her good name, career and livelihood ruined by these unethical, incompetent, arse covering idiots, who hid behind the health authorities legal machine. Scandalous.

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10.50: Pat is right to highlight the issue of social workers. What’s your problem with This? Obviously you are just interested in gossipy scandal of issues, individuals and clerics already thrashed to pieces on this blog. The individuals you enquire about should be allowed the decency, privacy and courtesy of moving on in their lives. You are just being mischievious but in a stupid, nonsensical and immature way. Get past your obsessions with these people you ask about. Would serve you better to go to your local church and spend an hour in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament or go and join a charity that works with the homeless and vulnerable people. I guess these suggestions would require you to get up off your fat lazy ass and actually do some good instead of looking for gossip, hearsay and speculation. Grow up! Well done Pat for highlighting this serious issue of dysfunctionung social service workers and system.

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What an appalling post 11.10. No accountable public figure esp one who says he stands in place of God should move on anywhere until they account for their past behaviour.

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11.10: I agree with you. There are some crazy harrassers on this blog like 10.50. All they want is gossip – nitbtryth – about guys who in a weird way seem to give them a thrill. If any student has issues, hopefully they are being dealt with by the proper authorities. Continually tearing them apart here serves only gossip and hearsay as at 10.50 who should grow up.

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11 .34: What’s appalling about my post at 11.10. I said nothing controversial except to advise poster at 10.50 to get a life and to stay with the topic Pat has chosen for today. The individuals enquired of by 10.50 SHOULD indeed be allowed to get on with their lives without being harassed and hounded by your ilk. If there is any evidence of serious wrongdoing by any individual, then you and poster at 10.50 should follow laid down procedures. (You probably prefer public gossip…). Get real.

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Hi I see this species every day. Some are excellent Many are pen pushers who definitely don’t put the person first. I blame the authorities who tried to save money by farming out cheap contracts and thegits are now spending a fortune trying to fix a broken record which is their fault in the first place hi

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Mornin hi fly.
Begorra fly I’m with you all the way on this one.
Some very good women and men butt hamstrung with bureaucracy
(a mighty big word that one what.) like in the church.
I’ve had plenty of dealins with this species meself both on and off the pitch.
Hybrids fly many knot knowin if they’re comin or goin pushin pens
while mindin butts riddled with fearin the ire of the senior.
I’m on the job fly.
Have a nice day fly hi.

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Mornin again hi fly begorra, meant to say I really enjoyed last night’s session hi but. Begorra man but you’re some man to go hi. Don’t know where you get the energy hi but. Tis great to be a young rapscallion but hi. Are ye sore today? I am hi but. Might have to skip later but hi.

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Evenin Magwa luv hi but. You were rightly on the job last night but hi. Friction burns today a bit sore but hi but should be ok for our usual tonight hi but. Running out of baby oil so if your passing Centra git one of the extra large bottles hi. See ya later hi but. A luv u with all of ma heart and soul but hi.

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Bp Pat, make sure her son has power of attorney for his mother to prevent any social workers taking liberties.

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1:37pm

Hello Aye Aye Kerry, Lolliepoppin Jo, Cracbat, Lilly the Pink, TwinkyWinky, Laa-laa, Po, Dipsy,
and any udder tubbies on the blogg.
1:37pm Pretendin to be me is a sample example of the modern klerical Kub in the Kooky Kollard Klub from the modern semenary system.He’s sayin everythin bout himself butt nathin bout anyone udder than him. When not playin the kleric what are these laddies playin. Laddies ye need to do the Lourdes water bucket challenge after a good confession, a good act of sorrow with a firm purpose of ammendment. Then talk to a grown up for counselling if yer carryin a monkey from poppers or sex or boozin.
God bless ladds.

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And by the by hi but, my and Fly’s sex life and daily romps has nathin to do with any of ye. It’s jealous ye are hi but. Fly and me luv each other and we are both adults hi so butt out but hi and leave us to enjoy each other’s butts in peace hi but begorra. By the way see Fly hi, he has me destroyed the wee hoor hi but hi.

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Bishop Pat I hope you highlight this sad case to the DUP MP’s so they see the reality of situations like this and the nasty Universal Credit.
The DUP backs a Government who take the Elderly peoples money and investments that they have worked for.
The DUP has No shame as people have committed suicide because of their Universal Credit.
the Scottish Government has it correct with Free Personal Care and medications for people and no wonder they are taking 14 benefits of this ruthless Government.
And maybe they will follow Scotland and it is cheaper for Care at Home rather than in a care Home.

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Hello there @ 8:40 pm pretendin to be moi.
What semenary do you hail from kubby not Gaynooth by any chance.
Tis way past yer bedtime Bro so get to beddy bye byes.
And do the Lourdes bucket challenge with yer klerical kubby buddies fast as ye can.
Don’t presume nathin cos it ain’t wise sinning by presumin on God.
Pray the night office like a good ladd.
Nighty night
sleep tight and
don’t let the bed bugs bite.

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8.54. ‘Twas nt me what wrote this post above. Some magpie stole my handle. In fact I’m not into all this sex innuendo rubbish but the world is a rainbow of many colours hi. Now buzz off youzthat are messing with people’s identity eeejits Are they havin a go at you as well Magwa. Just saw 9.02

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In relation to social work, as I do not subscribe to the simplistic public perception fostered by the tabloid press and articulated above on this blog, for the purposes of now commenting, rather than rely on personal experience and what I’m aware of from several younger family members in the profession, I have googled online information concerning the current social work profession.
It seems a recurrent theme of some commentators on this site to rely solely and quote their own personal experience as being indicative of an objective reality across the board: and invariably there is little if any understanding of any of the underlying factors. At its simplest, social workers are blamed for not finding Granny a place in a home for the elderly without any consideration that due to the financial restrictions imposed by political considerations, there are simply not enough such placements available in the first place. Similarly child care workers are pilloried for not “rescuing” potentially abused children at risk and placing them into “care”, regardless of the fact that there is a severe shortage of suitable children homes and foster placements. This is against the background of longstanding social worker severe staff shortages, grossly excessive caseloads, and lack of administrative and management support. The following scenario is a typical constant for most social workers: arrive at work at 9 am to prepare for a vital 9:30 meeting, having worked over an hour late the previous night, and find four or five “urgent” messages to ring back Dr A, or Headteacher B, or Health Visitor C etc etc. Yes that’s a constant reality behind unanswered calls.

Against those reflections I invite anyone interested enough to google the Oct 2018 Bath University Luke Haynes study of 3000 social workers published by the Community Care magazine: “Majority of social workers looking to leave their jobs within 16 months”. Is it any wonder?
Social workers are needed by the state to meet its statutory obligations to care for the highly dependent. But when the state, both in Ireland and the UK, places social workers in the impossible situation of attempting to meet hugely excessive demand with ever shrinking resources, it’s little wonder, as the Bath study shows, that excessive workloads, stress, burnout and illness cause more and more social workers to seek to leave the profession.
The tabloid media relentlessly pillories the profession, and those who thoughtlessly swallow that mantra and carelessly articulate it, do their dependents, and perhaps themselves one day, no favours.
MMM

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The nuns, brothers and priests coped with the same excessive state demands with shrinking resources dealing with those people of high dependency until the end of the 20th Century. There are anecdotal accounts of a hospital nun being replaced by 14 people. They too were prone to the same consequences: excessive workloads, stress, burnout and illness. And for their trouble they are now the recipients of the media’s opprobrium and despised in the state’s narrative paradigm.

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A very thoughtful, and well-researched, comment, MMM.
I’m one of those who has, at times, accepted media excoriation of social workers uncritically, even eagerly.
Impressions can be helpful, but not when they are inspired by the more sensational and outrageous failings in the health-care system; these, typically, are provided by the media, since they obviously make excellent copy and improve ratings or newspaper sales.
Some years ago, a social worker was instrumental in helping a very dear friend of mine to get back on her feet after a succession of personal and family difficulties which threatened to drive her to suicide. With the social worker’s assistance, my friend secured her own accomodation (and, therefore, a measure of therapeutic independence).
The high regard in which this social worker was already held (if not by the media, then by those others she had helped) were the numerous ‘Thank You’ cards on her desk and on the wall behind her.

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2.21: MMM, I was hoping you’d make this contribution which is cogently well argued and out of your own professional experience. You are right in all your observations and facts. I know social workers who just couldn’t continue because of their workload and the unrealistic expectations placed on them. They are expected to literally tidy up and sort out all difficulties, struggles, brokenness and conflicts within families and in caring for vulnerable young children, at risk teenagers and the frail elderly. With the shortage of social workers and a deficiency in government priority it is a huge task given to social workers: to “sort out” all our social and family ills. I have encountered excellent social workers. Of course some are not so good and fail abysmally, but the narrative by Pat suggesting that the majority of social workers are imbalanced, people hating, screwed up, that they lie through their teeth, that they are masochists of some kind inflicting hurt on others, that they are miserably unhappy – is an outrageous and completely unacceptable jydgment to make. It is a lie. It is an injustice to their profession. But as always, our Pat comes to the rescue, always proclaiming his expertise and super caring prowess. Pat, you do a huge injustice and hurt to the many excellent social workers in our communities. I think you are blinkered. You always define your greater superiority against your perceived failings of others, sadly. Then I shouldn’t be surprised since you treat priests with the same sneering contempt and disdain. We’re just another group for you to smash. I Wonder when you’ll start on teachers, Gardai….etc? You would do well to follow MMM’s suggestion and read proper, verifiable, analytical research before spouting your nonsense and lies.

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Ah, now, 7:25 pm;
Are you looking to pair with MMM, in order to score points off + Buckley?
Seems like it, to me. Tell the truth and shame the devil.
A priest, with an agenda, feeling threatened and trying to defend the indefensible?
Or are you in denial about Rcc crime, which is well documented, factual and verifiable, in Great Britain, Ireland and Internationally.

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Pat, should the public not have recourse to a legal body if a diocese cons them into believing that a seminarian is leading an impeccable moral life when in reality they living anything but. Is this not a deception foisted on benefactors and therefore a crime?

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3:25
No. The benefactors contribute voluntarily.
Are you equally as interested in policing the sexual lives of trainee doctors, lawyers, teachers? Or is your prurience merely another form of anti-catholic bigotry?

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MMM, a comment I made earlier to this blog, is based on both, personal and professional experience, plus academic credentials. I’m qualified to lecture in social work, at third level. I would not recommend to a young person to take up social work as a career. Certainly, not in community care or child care services. You’re right, in saying, it’s no wonder the majority are looking to leave their jobs within 16 months. It’s a highly politically charged, highly psychologically and emotionally charged, stressful occupation, particularly in contemporary society, with lack of financial resources related to service provision, etc. Having said all of the above, there are State investigations/enquiries ongoing at the moment, into appalling situations from the past, where social services personnel were fully aware of the sexual abuse/exploitation of very vulnerable children.
They did absolutely nothing to prevent it.
I could tell you of appalling negligence by a social services programme manger who caused mayhem. I’m talking about gross unethical practice, criminal negligence and cover up by social services. I’m not talking theory or from tabloid papers or from television programs. Cover ups also occur outside the Rcc. Don’t they just!

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Dear Bishop Pat
I am a Parishioner of the Archdiocese of Glasgow and I am asking for your advice. I am aware of a certain Parish Priest who is an active homosexual. I am ok with gay people, infact I am gay myself, but I also know that he should be celibate, so is leading a double life. I know of someone he had a sex with in the Presbytery just before saying Mass and then again after Mass and I am aware that there is a group of actively gays Priests in the Archdiocese. I have credible evidence and pictures. Here is my problem – if I expose them I am not sure that God would be pleased as at least one of them would need to be removed as I have full details of what he did and is still doing. Would you recommend that I write to the Archbishop or the Nuncio? A friend of mine suggested that I contact you.
God bless.

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Shagging is the name of the game in Glasgow by the Clergy I’m afraid. Doing it before Mass as described above isn’t acceptable.

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The reference to the nuncio is suspicious. It sounds like the gay Irishman living in Scotland who used to post here ad nauseam about his interest in and investigations into the sex life of other people, including clergy. At the same time he informed us he was getting enough sex himself. His solution to everything was to contact papal nuncios. He really needs to get a life and mind his own business.

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Thank You Father but you are well wrong.

I am sure you are worried in case this straight Irishman finds you.

And I have lived in Scotland now for 28 years but from Derry.

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H Thanks for your blog and sincere concern and I am going to make a few points.
God will NOT be angry with you as you are being honest and saving his Church from these double standard guys and I am not homophobic it is the idea of double lives.
So if you have reliable and credible evidence I plea with you that you send it to.
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia 52 St. Andrews Drive Glasgow G41 5HF and he will take the appropriate action but do NOT send it to Clyde Street if email is better then + Philips is Anne.Fitzgerald@rcag.org.uk and it is all Confidential.
Also send it to Archbishop Adams 54 Parkside London SW19 5NE (Papal Nuncio) email nuntius@glabalnet.co.uk
They will take action seriously if credible evidence and more so after this weekends media coverage of the Bishops Conference.
Still waiting on Hamish McTaggart’s evidence or update as he said two weeks will tomorrow is two weeks.
Action will be taken as a priority but remember holidays in two weeks then Lourdes pilgrimage so now is time to act.

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Thank you Anon @4:20. Like you I too advise young people to avoid the profession for the very reasons you describe: 90% of their time SWs are in a ‘lose-lose’ conflict of competing priorities.
Referring back to +Pat’s gripe, without knowing the full facts or current N. Ire. financing of care provision I have to wonder if his complaint refers more appropriately to how residential care costs have been determined by governmental decisions imposed on health and social care boards which social workers are obliged to implement .
Another common public error is to describe other individuals involved in social care matters as being ‘social workers’ e.g. social security officials ie civil servants employed by Dept of Work and Pensions; social care assistants; health visitors etc.
Like you Anon @ 4:20 , I too have seen examples of v poor social work practice on front line and, even worse, incompetent management cover ups.
MMM

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Dear MMM my only concern was the refusal of the social workers to engage with Irene and I with regard her benefits.

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Pat, don’t be afraid of the word ‘me.’ It’s a perfectly respectable word. and the one required in your sentence. What you should have said is ‘….to engage with Irene and me…’

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7:16 pm: MMM, I’m in total agreement. Social work is a noble profession, attracting many idealistic, caring and compassionate people, most of whom, are genuinely concerned for others welfare and well being, while desiring to create positive change with individuals, families, and structural changes, in wider society. In the context of Bishop Pats blog, re. crime, corruption and abuse, and the theme of today’s blog, I’m drawing attention to professional ethics, or lack of, in social work. However, the same could also be said of, medical, legal, policing authorities, dare I say, clergy, as professions/ professionals. etc. As an old monastic, once said to me, ‘it’s a fallen world.’
I wish you well.

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MMM at 7.16 and anonymous at 4.20: thank you both for your intelligent comments which are based on your professional experience. Like many professions, there are poor and reckless workers and managers and we know many vulnerable people have been unnecessarily hurt, (some have died), as a result of negligence and poor management. Some such cases are the subject of investigations. I respect the honesty of your arguments as you both speak out of personal, professional experience. The lack of priiritasion by relevant givernment departments re: family breakdown, separation difficulties, children in grief, in poverty, in homeless shelters, at risk teenagers, frail elderly and a host of other social problems is a huge blight on our moral conscience and our so called “contract” with people as espoused by government! Pat’s dismissive, unfair and disingenuous essay today is a huge disservice and injustice to the many, excellent social workers. As usual, his narrative is self serving but he should read properly researched analysis and evidence before preaching his personal gripes, bias and misinformation.

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Of course, there’s a political, structural and financial context, which are major contributing factors in creating social problems and societal response towards ameliorating those problems. These factors affect professional practice, morale and effectiveness, in terms of creating a context where crisis intervention work, is the only form of intervention, due to lack of resources, in terms of lack of financial resources, lack of personnel, creating ridiculous caseloads, etc coupled with, poor or patchy supervision due to time constraints. The buck stops with the ‘powers that be’ in government.’ More marginalised groups in society, haven’t got political clout and are not well organised as a collective, therefore government response is to ignore, fob off, etc, until the next scandal, followed by a review into the scandal,, investagation, if required, a report with recommendations, which probably won’t be implemented , due to lack of provision of financial resources. It’s a joke, created by our political masters, who are mighty fine, and well heeled, due to our taxes, thank you very much.

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Excellent summary with insightful acknowledgement of the political realities.
Thank you.
MMM

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Just did a quick search for “Elsie” but nothing again. She does a lot of good work, Bp Pat. Like KOB.

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@ “Magwa” and “Fly on th Wall” – full credit and fair dues to whoever is sending up and satirising the pair of you two risible buffoons.

You can’t write in intelligible English and what you say on this blog is gibberish and incomprehensible gobbledygook.

What sort of idiots are you both? Or are you one person writing under two different names?

Can you not contribute in the normal way that other people do without all this “hi but hi” and “begorra” rubbish? Are you not right in the head or what?

You deserve to be made eejits of because that is what you are. Ridicule is a fitting reply and reaction to your tomfoolery.

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Well Holy God another loose kub at 8:41pm.
And who might you be now tell us bro.
Tis way over yer bed time.
Nighty night.
God bless the ladd.

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Evenin Magwa hi. Can’t wait til later. Aching for ya wee man hi but. You reach parts of me I can’t reach myself but hi. It’s great to have a wee buddy ya can be yer self with hi but, just let it all hang out but hi like. Don’t know meself since we met on the blog and hooked up but hi. Luv u so much ma wee cutie pie. Feck the begrudgers but hi. This wee song reminds me of you Magwa hi. Wee Tracey Ullman number “They don’t know….” from the 80’s. This is our song but hi.
You’ve been around for such a long time now
Oh
Maybe I could leave you but I don’t know how
And why should I be lonely ev’ry night
When I can be with you
Oh yes
You make it right
And I don’t listen to the guys who say that you’re bad for me
And I should turn you away
‘Cause they don’t know about us
And they’ve never heard of love
I get a feeling when I look at you wherever you go now I want to be there too
They say we’re crazy but I just don’t care
And if they keep on talking
Still they get nowhere
So I don’t mind if they don’t understand
When I look at you and you hold my hand
‘Cause they don’t know about us
And they’ve never heard of love
Why should it matter to us if they don’t approve?
We should just take our chances while we’ve got nothing to lose
Baby
There’s no need for living in the past
Now I’ve found good loving gonna make it last
I tell the others
Don’t bother me
‘Cause when they look at you
They don’t see what I see
No
I don’t listen to their wasted lines
Got my eyes wide open and I see the signs
‘Cause they don’t know about us
And they’ve never heard of love
No
I don’t listen to their wasted lines
Got my eyes wide open and I see the signs
‘Cause they don’t know about us and they’ve never heard of love

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I agree entirely. Their comments are boring and repetitively trivial both in content and articulation. I simply ignore them.
MMM

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11:09pm
That’s what happens to kooky kollard kubs when left up too late
They ramble and rave and rant on about nathin.
Who let you out of Gaynooth.
Go to bed early tis evenin like a good lad.
Be good for goodness sake.
Bye byes.

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Dear Bishop Pat,

Will you and your viewers please say a Pater noster and an Ave this evening for my little Magna?

There was a dreadful incident this evening up here at Carta House on Carta Hill.

My Magna was perambulating in the arboretum taking the evening air when she spied some of the village boys in the adjoining Japanese Gardens teasing the giant Kai fish.

Magsy went to remonstrate with the urchins and there ensued somewhat of an ugly altercation. The village boys began to tease my Magna calling her “Magna Spagna” and “Farta Carta” and “Paedo”.

Normally, the young ragamuffins are too fast for Magna but, this evening, she caught some of them. There are a number of injuries – none life-threatening but ugly nonetheless.

One young rascal will need surgery to extricate Magna’s parasol from a certain orifice that delicacy prevents one from mentioning in polite company.

There are three ambulances here at present. The police are taking statements and my poor little Magsy Wagsy has been hauled off in handcuffs like a common criminal.

A large and ugly crowd also has gathered. At times like this one is so thankful for the moat and drawbridge encircling Carta House. (And of course Magsy’s pet piranhas that swarm in the moat).

It’s awfully upsetting. One is about to go to one’s boudoir and drink one’s self incapable as soon as the rabble disperses.

Would you, Bishop Pat, or any of your gentle readers happen to know of a good solicitor who works Saturday evenings? Money, of course, suffice it to say, is no object.

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9:09
Oh, dear! You do have a lot to learn about intelligent humour, but you don’t have the intelligence to learn.
Oh, well!😅

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“Magna” at 12:23 whoever it is at 9:09, they certainly are streets ahead of you in the funny stakes because your attempts at humour is about as funny as a house fire.
Your “Mum” (the other one) on the other hand is quite funny.
And well done 9:09. Ignore “Magna’s” sore grapes. She don’t like it up ‘er that “Magna Carta” troll. She don’t like it up ‘er.

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9.24: You are obviously feeling aggrieved 9ver ypurctreatment. I wentnthriugh a tough but good seminary formation in late 70’s and was never treated in any crazy way or abusive way as your time in seminary. Somehow those of us from that era were a little more robust and stronger. Some of the recent decades of studentscseem like pure snowflakes! Sift, untouchable, immature and seem to have been very cossetted at home with mammy and daddy….I had experience of seminarians in recent years on work experience. Oh my God, what little weaklings some of them were!!!

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It might well be Pat, as I suggested above, that the matter of your Irene’s benefit entitlement was really a social security/ Dept of Work and Pensions issue and not something for the social worker to “sort out.” Social workers pressurised priorities often dictates that they avoid getting ‘dragged in” to sort out problems with other agencies. Nevertheless a lot of social worker time is spent having to undo problems because of malfunctioning other agencies (housing, social security, etc) because of its impact on vulnerable disadvantaged individuals.
And on this occasion +Pat, as others point out, your simplistic criticism of a profession based on your own experience is shallow, negative and disheartening for many caring SWs striving their best in very stressful circumstances. Having today shown your comments to a recently retired cousin, I quote her words: “If that’s Buckley’s views it does him no credit “.
I’m obliged to agree.
MMM

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My piece was based on 43 experience of social workers.

I am not looking for approval from anyone, including your “cousin”.

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Pat, what you you advise for we seminarians who were investigated for alleged wrongdoing to do now, in light of the Former Garda Moynihan case (she was put through the mill in an internal inquiry). The Garda Commissioner has apologised to her less than an hour ago. What would you advise former seminarians day of the 80s and 90s to do? Especially those who were subjected to in-house questions and alleged fair procedures. There were no babies involved or forced adoptions but many still live with the scars. The lifelong impact of the questions and the embarrassment. The problem was in the main being caught and knowing that others were doing what one was accused of. Some didn’t want the advances of others but succumbed to them and were then asked why and told to leave. Others were reported by other seminarians for having affairs with others and in the main the reporters were gilted lovers or jealous people. I have purposely not mentioned those who were subjected to inquiries in the naughties or more recently in case this turns into a Gorgeous blog et al. Is it time for former deans to be exposed for the severe hurt they inflicted on young men regardless of whatever it was that was alleged to have taken place. We now realise the hypocrisy. What do you advice? Expose the line of questioning? Publish some of the inquires? Expose the prurient tripe these ‘deans’ insisted on knowing while at the same time failed to expose under their noses?

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It’s very informative to compare the role of religious a generation ago and that of social workers more recently in dealing with the state’s vulnerable rejects. There are far more similarities between them that people are prepared to admit. The one constant is the underfunding of the most marginalised people in our society. Some sources which support the role of social workers castigated religious groups. Today on this blog we have sharp criticism of the role of social workers. It’s a mark of a mature society that it can critique both equally and objectively. There are many who would criticise and damn the contribution of religious people in the past. It’s most interesting to see the shoe on the other foot now.

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And you certainly won’t get it Pat. My cousin is a retired social services middle manager of a child protection team of social workers, a position I once had over 40 years ago . She regards her retirement as an escape from impossible pressures endangering her health.
When I hear from her and others of current SW pressures, I’m truly grateful to be now 20 yrs retired from that thankless profession.
The comment you base on 43 ?years/instances/interventions ??? whatever you intended to say is in itself revealing.
Do you ever, even once, accept that you could be wrong?
Please don’t reply with weasel wordy explanation.
MMM

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I am a social worker and I am proud of my career and approach to it. I work in the same field – Eldercare.
1. Your comment on the lady having NO income is factually incorrect.
2. There are care homes that do not have a 3rd party top up fee (the £40 her son is paying) although these may not be to the lady or her family’s liken or they may be further away. The Social Worker nor trust create these third party top ups – these are set by the care homes.
This post is nothing but Slander.
Yes Social Workers are under pressure, yes we juggle far too much but one thing for sure is we do care!
The majority of this slander and incorrect information has nothing to do with Social Workers.
Do we have any say in how much someone has to pay towards their care home? NO! That would be our so called government.
Do we set third party top up fees? NO! That would be the gready private care home companies.
What are you actually trying to achieve here with this post Pat?
Have you run out of priests to slag of?
I’m actually disappointed that such an “educated” man as yourself could talk such incorrect bullshit.
Try and learn what your talking about before spreading utter shite.
Even if you did meet an unhelpful rude Social Worker, haven’t you heard of one bad apple and all that craic?

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Ignore +Pat. He is just looking some lime light and 5 minutes of fame for helping an elderly person. I have experienced many fantastic social workers in my time, all caring and devoted to helping others. Unlike +Pat who just rips shreds of people and would do anything or spread shit for 5 minutes of fame

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Thank you Anon@ 2:12 for providing some factual information, You have every right to be proud of a noble profession.
MMM

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Social worker here again.
If you are going to raise an issue with a social worker in eldercare please do not link or compair this to a social worker in child services. It’s like comparing a police officer and a fireman. Seriously you actually have not one clue about what your talking about and because of that no social worker or manager could ever take you seriously.

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