MORE than 75 per cent of children in care in Bournemouth are matched with more than one social worker.

Youngsters in care often complain that changes of personnel among council staff who look after their needs can lead to trust difficulties.

Last year a group of children in care and care leavers prepared a report on their concerns for the council in which tackling changing social workers was listed as a top priority.

According to a council report prepared by officer Mike Felstead of adult and children’s services: “On average a child/young person experiences a different social worker visiting them every 219 days they are in care.

“Nearly a quarter of young people go through their whole time in care with only one social worker, 64 per cent of children and young people have

just three changes of social worker.

“A small number of children and young people experience a high number of social workers during their time in care.”

It states that three children who have been in the care system for an average of eight-and-a-half years have had as many as 14 different social workers during the period.

The report outlines measures the council is planning to improve the situation, with a focus on reducing the amount of time children spend in care.

It states: “Some young people who are or have been in care suggest that the relationship with their social worker can lack continuity. Whilst some children and young people have a strong relationship with their social worker many have none – they have had too many social workers and have seen too little of those they have had. Key to addressing the issue of continuity of social worker for the children and young people is a strong retention strategy.”

The report states that adopting a new management structure among social workers has greatly reduced staff turnover, and therefore led to greater consistency in visits.

“The introduction of the POD structure brought a period of unprecedented stability in the team. In the 13 months since the POD system was introduced only one social worker has left the team to go on maternity leave.”