“Protecting our Children”
The BBC’s new social work documentary series
Child protection social workers made the national TV spotlight in a positive and constructive way on January 30th, as the BBC began screening a special documentary series. The 3-part series, entitled “Protecting Our Children”, follows social workers from Bristol City Council’s children’s services department.
Some of the social workers from "Protecting Our Children"
The series is a result of more than 2 years of filming in a busy children’s services department, and seeks to portray the reality of the daily work social workers do, along with the lives of the children and families they work with.
“Protecting Our Children” is seen as an important step in raising the public image of social work and child protection, and the challenges faced by teams in the UK today. Annie Hudson, Bristol City Council’s director of children’s services, is proud of what the series has achieved so far. She wrote:
“…It offered the chance to show some of the daunting situations faced by social workers and their managers, as well as the wide repertoire of skills and the fine judgements needed to make difficult decisions.”
“I also believe we have a duty to be more open about what we are doing, thus encouraging more informed debate about the issues which social workers grapple with on a daily basis…”
The first instalment, “Damned If They Do, Damned If They Don’t”, was broadcast on BBC2 at 9pm on Friday 30th Janaury, and has received a great deal of praise for its openness and impact. The second episode , “Expecting Trouble”, aired at the same time on Monday 6th February, also on BBC2, and the final episode “I Want My Baby Back” appeared on Monday 13th February.
Related Topics:
- Social Work Survey – The Public Image of Social Work
- Social Work Jobs – Child Protection
- Social Work Jobs – Children and Families
