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London faces acute lack of social workers
Tim Ross06.05.09
London faces a severe shortage of social workers to protect vulnerable children like Baby P from abuse, ministers said today.
A government-commissioned review found social workers struggle with inadequate computer systems, burdensome targets and a culture of widespread public criticism and distrust.
Many recruits are not up to the job, while the outcry over the Baby P case has “demoralised” the profession.
The report, from Camden council's chief executive Moira Gibb, came as ministers announced a multi-million-pound drive to recruit top graduates into social work careers.
Ms Gibb's review painted a picture of a profession in crisis:
● Staff “do not have enough time” to devote to children, it said. “High caseloads and vacancy rates contribute to this.”
● Social workers feel their profession is “undervalued, poorly understood and under constant media attack”, a situation exacerbated by the furore over the death of Baby Peter in Haringey.
● Staff were intensely frustrated by the computer system.
● New workers are “often” unprepared, while trainees do not always have the “intellectual and interpersonal skills” they need.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls said recruitment difficulties varied across the country but were “particularly acute” in London.
He announced an extra £58 million for training new social workers and convincing those who have left the profession to return over the next two years.
The money will also fund conversion courses for 200 of the highest achieving graduates with degrees in any subject to train.
Councils are already being forced to offer higher salaries to attract child protection staff after the national outcry over the death of Baby P.
Mr Balls said: “Our ambition is for social work to be a high-quality profession with the confidence of the public.”
The minister was setting out the Government's response to Lord Laming's inquiry into child protection which followed the death of baby Peter.
Aged 17 months, Peter died after suffering months of abuse at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger in August 2007. He had been on Haringey's at-risk register.
The Government's reforms include appointing a child protection czar, Sir Roger Singleton, who will report to Parliament. Ministers will also introduce new targets for child protection.
