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Whither the energy to fight causes?

Suzanne Gale sees enthusiasm drain from the public sector, I’ve got a pretty clear head and am often
knew Jeremy Kyle was a horror show, fears gaslighting is employed to cut to the chase but this is
like nothing I have ever experienced. At
getting professional but finds solace in Schitt’s Creek every level, we have had to go back to the
council and remind them of what they’ve
said previously, what their own deadlines
’ve heard that complaints about public The draw of being Jeremy’s “mate” and were and, most depressingly, their duty as
services have gone down so people are the opportunity to be on the small screen a local authority.
Ihappier, apparently. But I know, from was too alluring to refuse. Staff produce emails with a jumble of
sitting on the front line, that they are They were whisked off in darkness “professional” words and acronyms, none
just tired. when staff were not watching, provided of which has any real meaning.
Tired of poor governance, exhausted by with “free” hotel rooms stocked with a What is most upsetting is the
continual cuts in the wrong budgets, fed up minibar and left to get undercurrent of threat
with short-term firefighting instead of themselves into as much that, if poor
meaningful longer-term planning and trouble as possible. documentation is
completely depressed that, despite working It was evident that the challenged or concerns
their hardest, the public sector is at its research team actively about any specific
most chaotic and ineffective in memory. sought out those seen employee are escalated,
I miss the good old days of Supporting as having lower this may hold things up
People, the promise of Valuing People and intelligence, those with and that it will be the
the promise of more legal rights under the less of an understanding family’s fault for
housing and care acts. Now I’m struggling of the impact of publicly causing trouble.
to find the enthusiasm to fight the cause airing their most More than 2,000 people
– and I’m usually one of the loudest. intimate details, those with a learning disability
Many have left the sector because they who had been dealt the and/or autism are
no longer feel welcome in our country; worst of the cards. currently detained in
many have left because they just can’t do The baying crowd assessment and treatment
it any longer. mocked and cheered, units, mostly against their
It feels as though we’ve all gone quiet watching this group of family’s wishes.
and, sadly, the biggest organisation of “idiots”, pitched Health commissioners
them all, voted for by the people, doesn’t against each other, Gaslighting: a husband tricks are not taking any
seem to be the least bit concerned. the more humiliating his wife into doubting what her responsibility for it and no
the better. senses tell her in the 1944 film one can really get to the
So I wasn’t shocked bottom of why it is never
Keeping the women away by anything in the Channel 4 sorted out. Professional gaslighting is
from the Jeremy Kyle show documentary exposing Kyle, Death obviously a systemic problem.
on Daytime.
formed part of a person’s risk Those of us in the know could all see Sitcom sets an example
assessment and was on the through the terrible levels of public abuse I was late to the party with the TV series
agenda at every meeting being played out in front of our eyes. Schitt’s Creek, only giving in to the hype
when our dear exiting editor Simon
Gaslighting: is it being taught? Jarrett convinced me that it was the only
The concept of gaslighting – a type of way to survive lockdown.
The toxic draw of Jeremy Kyle manipulation intended to get a person to And oh, such a joy it was! Such a breath
Many years ago, I reviewed a housing question their own reality – is new to me, of fresh air compared to the usual
provision for young mothers. and professional gaslighting even newer. American sitcom. I was really struck how
The majority had left school with no I’ve just had the misfortune of seeing an it made such an impact by making gender
qualifications, had limited literacy and organisation in full professional gaslighting and sexual preferences non-issues.
numeracy skills, little or no family support, mode and, goodness, what a powerful It was just there. I’ve always had an
and they were all vulnerable. Many had tactic it is. I’ve even started to wonder internal grapple about where we should
become young mothers as a result of whether it’s something they now teach on draw the line between creating role
coercion and abuse. public sector management courses. models and being a little bit patronising.
The staff reported that one of their I’m dumbfounded by the amount Learning disability always seems to be
biggest issues and a continual challenge of contradictory, misleading and so far behind everything else on the Loew’s Incorporated/Wikimedia Commons
was trying to keep the women away from downright false information we have inclusion journey. How long until we no
the Jeremy Kyle show. It was such an issue been fed about one of my nearest and longer congratulate employers, TV
that it formed part of a person’s risk dearest who is desperately trying to move producers and fashion labels for including
assessment and was a standard agenda from a failing, ineffective low-security unit people with learning disabilities, and just
item at every house meeting. into supported living. expect it? n

24 Vol 35 No 4 | Summer 2022 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk