Social workers look to future after Baby P (From Bournemouth Echo)

Social workers look to future after Baby P

12:40pm Thursday 12th November 2009 in

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PUBLIC anger over the Baby P case has exacerbated a serious problem in recruiting children’s social workers, new research reveals.

A survey of councils found that staff retention problems have increased by 50 per cent in the past year, with six out of 10 councils reporting problems retaining staff.

It’s feared many social workers have left the profession following the high profile death of 17-month-old Peter Connolly and the subsequent “vilification” of children’s social workers.

The toddler was on Haringey Council’s at-risk register and was the subject of more than 60 visits by social workers, doctors and police but died at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger.

In Bournemouth, the council’s previous problems in recruiting social workers have been well documented and work has begun to address these.

Following the Baby P case, there was a big increase in the number of cases referred to social workers and in August, the council had a record 191 children on its books.

After losing staff to better paid jobs in neighbouring councils, the council embarked on a recruitment drive and recently hired six social workers from America.

Ann Graham, service director, said social workers now felt “much more positive” about their long-term future.

In Poole, the council has managed to keep a “stable workforce” and “manageable” turnover of staff, despite the pressurised and challenging nature of the profession.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole and the Lib Dems’ children and families’ spokeswoman, said social workers were under “huge pressure” from a lack of resources and that the profession has been “demonised” by the Baby P case.