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BABY P REPORT SOUNDS ALERT ON CASELOADS
Call for social workers to spend more time with children in care
A DAMNING report into Islington’s child protection services in the wake of the Baby P abuse scandal has revealed a catalogue of problems including low morale due to heavy workload, poor-quality offices and gaps in training.
The Town Hall ordered the review following publication in March of Lord Laming’s investigation into safeguarding children.
The council report, which will be discussed by councillors on Monday, raises serious concerns that heavy caseloads mean Islington social workers are not spending enough time with children in care.
The Haringey social worker at the centre of the Baby P case, Maria Ward, was reportedly struggling to cope with 18 child protection cases at the time of the toddler’s death.
Union officials have criticised Islington Council for failing to provide proper administrative support to its social workers.
David Worlock, the council’s assistant director of children’s services, will reveal his findings to a Town Hall committee on Monday.
His report states: “Although the caseloads of Islington social workers are not excessive, it is clearly the case that the quality of work and the morale of staff would improve if caseloads were lower. For example, those working with looked-after children would be able to spend more time in direct contact with children, which is something children want.”
The 10-page report recommends a review of social workers’ pay and the introduction of a better training system. It adds: “There is need for all children’s services in Islington to review training on child development to ensure all relevant staff receive it to the correct level – which is probably not the case now.”
Islington currently has 87 per cent of its social worker posts filled by permanent staff.
The rest are employed on a temporary basis through agencies.
The report raises concerns that social workers have been working in “poorer physical conditions” from a temporary building in Essex Road since the looked-after children team was set up in 2008.
Mike Calvert, deputy branch secretary of Islington Unison, which represents social workers, said: “We are obviously very concerned about this. Many of the problems associated with social workers are across the board and not just in Islington. The main problem I would say is that there is a lot of administration when it comes to children’s cases.
“Of course, we would like there to be more staff to support our members with the administrative work. I don’t think we could have another Baby P in Islington, but you can never be sure.”
Baby P died in August 2007 after suffering horrific abuse in the home. The child had been seen more than 60 times by social workers and medical staff before his death. |
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