WHEN social workers hit the headlines it is usually when they have done something wrong.

A number of high profile cases have put them into the spotlight and tarnished them with a negative reputation.

But it is thanks to the social services that hundreds of Swindon children every year are given an escape from lives of abuse and neglect.

There are currently 129 children on Swindon's child protection register.

They were all referred to the social services department who investigate allegations of abuse, often in partnership with the police.

Jean Pollard is head of children's services in the social services department at Swindon Council.

She said: "Social workers have a duty to investigate all concerns about abuse or neglect.

"We work closely with the police and also health professionals on this.

"First of all we would get as much information as possible from the person who contacted us and we would look through our files to see if we have worked with the family previously.

"Then we would go round and speak to the family.

"At this point it is very important that we keep an open mind and don't assume anything.

"We don't really know the truth until we have spoken to the people involved."

She admits that social workers often have the reputation of being interfering and of taking people's children away from them.

But she is keen to stress that in fact as much as possible is done to ensure that children are kept within the family home.

"Some children won't report abuse because they imagine that if they do their world will fall apart and they will be put into care," she said.

"But a child will not be automatically removed from the home.

"We need to get away from the idea that social workers walk in and break families up.

"In fact we always work hard to keep the family together and to take away the risk without breaking up family life."

This week the NSPCC launched it latest campaign Tell Somebody, which is aimed at encouraging children to turn to someone they trust if they are being abused.

It also emphasises the important of telling the police or social services if you suspect that a child may in a dangerous situation.

Jean described why the campaign is so important.

"The first thing for children themselves is that if they are not happy about something that's happening whatever it is they should tell somebody.

"That could be a teacher or someone at the NSPCC.

"For other people who see children in situations where they feel there are risks of danger then again, tell someone.

"Social workers are not there all the time and people living in communities have to take care of all the children in their community."

Abused kids encouraged to speak out

CHILDREN'S charity the NSPCC has launched a new campaign this week.

The Someone To Turn To campaign is the latest phase of the NSPCC's Full Stop campaign.

It aims to encourage every child and young person to speak to someone they trust if they are worried about anything.

An NSPCC survey has revealed that half of all teenagers know a young person who is suffering from some form of abuse but they keep it a secret among their friends.

The charity hopes to encourage all Swindon schools to hand out booklets full of useful phone numbers and advice to all schoolchildren. So far nine Swindon schools and 30 in Wiltshire have agreed to do so. Yesterday, powerful TV advertisements went out to publicise the message.

The charity is also calling on the Government to ensure every child has access to a peer support scheme in their school.

NSPCC chief executive Mary Marsh said: "We need to take the secrets out of the playground and into the environment where young people can get the support and advice they need."

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