Social workers are being ‘spat at’ in the street amid fury over the tragic death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, a children’s trust boss has revealed.
Arthur, six-years-old, was tortured at home by Emma Tustin before his assassination at Solihull’s house.
After Tustin’s sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum of 29 years, and Arthur Hughes’ father being imprisoned for 21 for manslaughter, there was a nationwide outpouring in grief.
Boris Johnson proposed introducing Arthur’s Law to stop child-killers being freed from prison.
Solihull Council’s leader also demanded an independent verification of Arthur’s involvement by the local authorities.
Now Jenny Turnross, director of practice at Birmingham Children’s Trust, has confirmed reports that social workers have been physically and verbally abused as a direct result of the case. One encounter saw a social worker being spit on in the street.
Ms Turnross, who oversees 800 social workers in the trust, said: ‘People see these beautiful pictures of Arthur and think ”how can professionals and organisations allow something like to happen to this child”.
Arthur, six-years-old, was beat and tortured at his Solihull home by Emma Tustin before his assassination.
After Tustin’s sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum of 29 years, and Arthur Hughes’ father being jailed for 21 for manslaughter, the case caused a nationwide outpouring grief. Ministers pledged action.
“But, what they don’t see are the thousands of kids we support and keep safe. Because the good news isn’t traveling, they don’t get it.
“It’s so shameful that people don’t realize social workers have no power to take children away.
Our job is to find out the truth and report our findings. If there are concerns, we inform the court and the police.
“We are the face of it, but we are part of a multi-agency agreement.”
Ms Turnross, in response to the outrage about Arthur’s death on December 7, retweeted a post online that said: “It is sad people jump into blame (social workers), for child deaths.
We aren’t clairvoyants and try our best to make it through extremely challenging circumstances. Respect journalists, politicians, and other members of your community. Your self-righteousness may be (very) wrong.
Photographed: Bruises upon Arthur Labinjo Hughes’ back, April 2020. This was two months prior to his death.
Ms Turncross added that social workers in Birmingham and across the county were facing a very challenging landscape.
She said, “We will become the targets of some anger.” “And that is something that, unfortunately, in this society we must be prepared for.
She told Birmingham Live: ‘There have been reported incidents of social workers being called names and assaulted in the street. This is something I can confirm.
She was asked whether there could be a direct link between Arthur and the incidents.
“Everyone is saddened and very disturbed by Arthur’s death so we are able to make this connection.
‘[On December 10]Staff have been informed by our chief member of children’s staff that we will never tolerate our staff being threatened or harmed. We work in a difficult environment.
Ms. Turnross called on people to show support for social workers.
She suggested that people from the Government and the media could reach out to the communities to help them see how safe the majority of the children living in their city.
The chief executive of trusts pleaded passionately not to demonise staff members following the passing of the six year-old.