THE finding by the Scottish Social Services Council that a social worker employed by Fife Council was guilty of misconduct on twelve counts (“Social worker of murdered boy struck off by watchdog”, The Herald, September 21st) ignores the fact that over a lengthy period of time, management failed to ensure that her work performance was satisfactory, a situation arising from one of two possible scenarios, one being that, for whatever reason, her line manager did not monitor her caseload and ensuing courses of action or inaction adequately, the other being an unwillingness to address apparent incompetence head-on.

Either way, even with the most conscientious and organised workers, regular reviews of allocated cases and on-going situations are imperative in order to afford reflection and support and, if deemed necessary, intervention. Whatever the shortcomings of individual practitioners, the absence of proper scrutiny of their work is equally, if not more, reprehensible.

Duncan Macintyre,

2 Fort Matilda Terrace,

Greenock.