She is not a trainer, meaning experienced, and approved to train others.
She is a .....trainee, meaning she is still in training.

She is expressing doubts, and gave Cathy some clues as to what may need ot be done.
I'd guess that some higher up, who k new something about the previous social worker and her abrasiveness made the change.
Brenda, being a trainee might still be heavily influenced by what 'the book' says, and is parroting it.
She might change her tune, hopefully for the better, as she gains experience.

Holly

But I would like to express a certain amount of dismay at the political commentary that seems to be rearing its ugly head. Cathy does seem to be presensitized against the Social Services people, some of which are not the most tactful but that doesn't excuse Cathy's rudeness, does it? Does the author perhaps have some history with these people?

I have had some experience in that, many, many years ago, I was interested in adopting a child and had to deal with the Children's Aid Society, the local equivalent, and suffered treatment similar to that which Cathy is going through. However, Ang, you might suggest to Cathy that, if she wants to keep Mima, it does neither Cathy or Mima any good to antagonize the people from whom you want good things, no matter that you're right in principle. As my Grandmother used to tell me, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Still, you *are* managing to keep me entertained and, for that, I thank you very much.

Yours from the Great White North,

Jenny Grier (Mrs.)

So, they have a training program to teach being a grating, nasty, arrogant, asshole in UK ? Or are they selected from a raft of applicants ? I would be recording these unannounced visits for later playback to Grampy Viscount. Lets see if the arrogant attitude lasts.
Ang, you devil, you just touched a nerve in me. I just raised the Battle Ensign, and turned into them, over a story !!

Cefin