YES - Ian Johnston, director, British Association of Social Workers
We should take into account the long-term impact of obesity. Given thathealth is an Every Child Matters outcome, where there are seriousconcerns backed up by medical evidence it's right that social workersshould intervene. But they should get the co-operation of everyoneconcerned.
Cases where they can't gain co-operation and there's enough medicalevidence will be few and far between. It's the same sort of process ifthey're undernourished - we're talking about children's wellbeing.
NO - John Strongman, children's manager, Barnardo's Manchester
Leaving Care Service Taken at face value, it appears somewhat ludicrous.Obviously if obesity was accompanied by a large range of other issues itmight make sense, but we don't want to take children into care unlessit's really necessary.
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