Mr. Joe McCarthy:

The Deputy mentioned the courts system. It is stressful and daunting. Other professionals are often given more credence and weight and the role of the social worker is gradually being eroded. I can give the example of guardians ad litem. The social workers in child protection see themselves as being there to protect and to advocate for the child but often that role is handed over to a guardian, who does not hold statutory responsibility, can develop a relationship with the child and whose function is different. That role is taken away from the social worker. Court has also become adversarial. Due process must be respected and I am aware some work is being done on this but it can be extremely adversarial where everybody has a lawyer. If one puts young social workers into that setting and they do not have the time to gradually get used to it-----