Why social workers had to investigate Kirstie Allsopp case | Letter

Julia Ross from the British Association of Social Workers says if a referral is made it must be acted on – it is the law

What the media coverage on the Kirstie Allsopp story misses is how social work actually works (Kirstie Allsopp reported to social services for allowing son, 15, to travel abroad, 25 August). If a referral is made, it must be acted on when certain criteria are met – it is simply the law. This approach doesn’t discriminate between class or status – it applies to all.

Sadly, like the police, social work does receive malicious referrals and, like the police, we still must make inquiries to establish which referrals require further work and which can be closed without further action.

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