By David Williams
11 November 2009
Councils have warned that the exodus of children’s social workers after the Baby Peter scandal has put some of the most vulnerable people in society at risk.
Six out of ten councils are reporting retention problems – up 50% on last year, according to a Local Government Association survey published today.
The crisis in the profession comes despite a third of councils boosting salaries.
During the scandal, which followed the death of 17-month-old Baby Peter from abuse at the hands of his mother and her partner, the LGA warned that many could be scared off a career in social work as a result.
Shireen Ritchie, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People board, said: ‘These dedicated staff have been put through the mill. The vilification of children’s social workers has increased the risk of harm to some children by opening up gaps in the safety net which works so hard to protect them.’
She added that people concerned with child safety ’should understand that social workers are the solution, not the problem’. She warned that ‘too many social workers have clearly decided the strain of this difficult work is more than they can handle’ over the past year.
‘The commitment of those who have remained must not be underestimated.’
She called on councils to do more to make social workers feel valued.
Among the schemes under way to tackle the problem is a free course for former social workers wishing to return to the profession, run by West Sussex County Council.
In Hertfordshire, a training academy and reduced caseloads are being offered to 30 newly qualified social workers a year.
11 November 2009
Councils have warned that the exodus of children’s social workers after the Baby Peter scandal has put some of the most vulnerable people in society at risk.
Six out of ten councils are reporting retention problems – up 50% on last year, according to a Local Government Association survey published today.
The crisis in the profession comes despite a third of councils boosting salaries.
During the scandal, which followed the death of 17-month-old Baby Peter from abuse at the hands of his mother and her partner, the LGA warned that many could be scared off a career in social work as a result.
Shireen Ritchie, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People board, said: ‘These dedicated staff have been put through the mill. The vilification of children’s social workers has increased the risk of harm to some children by opening up gaps in the safety net which works so hard to protect them.’
She added that people concerned with child safety ’should understand that social workers are the solution, not the problem’. She warned that ‘too many social workers have clearly decided the strain of this difficult work is more than they can handle’ over the past year.
‘The commitment of those who have remained must not be underestimated.’
She called on councils to do more to make social workers feel valued.
Among the schemes under way to tackle the problem is a free course for former social workers wishing to return to the profession, run by West Sussex County Council.
In Hertfordshire, a training academy and reduced caseloads are being offered to 30 newly qualified social workers a year.
