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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. |