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Rising Oxfordshire social worker caseloads 'putting children at risk' Oxfordshire social worker caseloads 'putting children at risk' after Bullfinch
(about 7 hours later)
Children in Oxfordshire are being put at risk because of rising caseloads of social workers dealing with vulnerable young people, it has been claimed.Children in Oxfordshire are being put at risk because of rising caseloads of social workers dealing with vulnerable young people, it has been claimed.
In the wake of the Operation Bullfinch grooming case council bosses have raised concerns about the pressure on children's social care in the county.In the wake of the Operation Bullfinch grooming case council bosses have raised concerns about the pressure on children's social care in the county.
Over the past five years the number of full-time county council social workers increased from 179 to 200.Over the past five years the number of full-time county council social workers increased from 179 to 200.
But the number of children requiring protection plans rose from 263 to 572.But the number of children requiring protection plans rose from 263 to 572.
The figures were released after a Freedom of Information Request from BBC News Online.The figures were released after a Freedom of Information Request from BBC News Online.
Oxfordshire County Council said the situation was creating "huge pressures in teams", with some social workers dealing with up to 20 cases at a time.Oxfordshire County Council said the situation was creating "huge pressures in teams", with some social workers dealing with up to 20 cases at a time.
Karen Goodman, from the British Association of Social Workers, said experienced staff were leaving the profession "in droves" because of job pressures.Karen Goodman, from the British Association of Social Workers, said experienced staff were leaving the profession "in droves" because of job pressures.
'Better recognition''Better recognition'
Marilyn Hawes, who founded the charity Enough Abuse UK, said a lack of staff was creating a huge backlog of cases.Marilyn Hawes, who founded the charity Enough Abuse UK, said a lack of staff was creating a huge backlog of cases.
She said: "Some councils have an eight-month queue, and if you are deemed low risk you just sit there waiting."She said: "Some councils have an eight-month queue, and if you are deemed low risk you just sit there waiting."
Children who have a protection plan are considered to be at risk from neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse.Children who have a protection plan are considered to be at risk from neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
In its annual report, Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children's Board said one reason for the increase in cases was "better recognition" of child protection issues following recent high-profile grooming cases.In its annual report, Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children's Board said one reason for the increase in cases was "better recognition" of child protection issues following recent high-profile grooming cases.
County director of children's services Jim Leivers said the pressures on his department were caused primarily by the "overwhelming need to reduce expenditure" because of government cuts.County director of children's services Jim Leivers said the pressures on his department were caused primarily by the "overwhelming need to reduce expenditure" because of government cuts.
He said if demand continued to rise the ability of the council and the agencies it worked with to keep vulnerable children safe could be "adversely affected".He said if demand continued to rise the ability of the council and the agencies it worked with to keep vulnerable children safe could be "adversely affected".
A council spokesman added this could result in social workers spending less time with vulnerable children and families.A council spokesman added this could result in social workers spending less time with vulnerable children and families.
The council is currently consulting on proposals to create a new Family Support Service which would deal with child protection plans.The council is currently consulting on proposals to create a new Family Support Service which would deal with child protection plans.