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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/18/vulnerable-children-new-frontline-crisis-social-care
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| Vulnerable children are on the new frontline of a crisis in social care | Vulnerable children are on the new frontline of a crisis in social care |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Such is the financial crunch engulfing local councils, those attempting to keep the show on the road are having to choose which crisis to deal with first. | Such is the financial crunch engulfing local councils, those attempting to keep the show on the road are having to choose which crisis to deal with first. |
| Adult social care had been the area causing most angst. And, while that issue is far from resolved, there is now another area topping the critical list. | Adult social care had been the area causing most angst. And, while that issue is far from resolved, there is now another area topping the critical list. |
| In the most comprehensive survey of councils earlier this year, children’s services emerged as the top immediate pressure, placing it above adult social care for the first time in at least three years. | In the most comprehensive survey of councils earlier this year, children’s services emerged as the top immediate pressure, placing it above adult social care for the first time in at least three years. |
| Those working with vulnerable children report the same vicious cycle – services designed to prevent children from falling into trouble or being taken into care, such as parenting support groups and classes, youth schemes and Sure Start centres, have been ditched by cash-strapped councils. | Those working with vulnerable children report the same vicious cycle – services designed to prevent children from falling into trouble or being taken into care, such as parenting support groups and classes, youth schemes and Sure Start centres, have been ditched by cash-strapped councils. |
| They do so because they have to prioritise carrying out their legal duties, such as looking after and placing children in their care. | |
| Over time, the loss of preventative measures means the number of urgent cases increase, which in turn increases the workload of overstretched social workers desperately trying to keep up with demand. From 2010-11 to 2016-17, the number of looked-after children grew by 10.9%. | |
| “If we don’t get further funding, we will see a further diminution of those services and an increase in the number of children being looked after [by the state],” says Stuart Gallimore, head of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services. “That’s not somewhere that anyone wants to get into, and it is a source of immense frustration that we do not seem to be able to be heard by government.” | “If we don’t get further funding, we will see a further diminution of those services and an increase in the number of children being looked after [by the state],” says Stuart Gallimore, head of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services. “That’s not somewhere that anyone wants to get into, and it is a source of immense frustration that we do not seem to be able to be heard by government.” |
| Anecdotally, some social workers say colleagues are threatening to walk out of the profession. “Compared to a few years ago, caseloads are higher, so you have to prioritise your cases,” says Gavin Moorghen, a social worker with the British Association of Social Workers. | Anecdotally, some social workers say colleagues are threatening to walk out of the profession. “Compared to a few years ago, caseloads are higher, so you have to prioritise your cases,” says Gavin Moorghen, a social worker with the British Association of Social Workers. |
| “You are dealing with vulnerable people. In the past, you would have more breathing space to reflect on what that person needs. It’s much harder to do that now.” | “You are dealing with vulnerable people. In the past, you would have more breathing space to reflect on what that person needs. It’s much harder to do that now.” |
| Later this year, the public spending watchdog, National Audit Office, will publish an account of the state of children’s services. It is not expected to make for easy reading. The worry for Gallimore, however, is that it will take something more tragic to focus the minds of ministers. | |
| “It really frightens me that what it will take is a death of a child,” he said. “Sadly, historically, it has taken something as horrible as that to generate the kind of clarion call and funding that is needed. The case for additional funding is now being made so loudly and clearly by so many, it is hard to dismiss it.” | “It really frightens me that what it will take is a death of a child,” he said. “Sadly, historically, it has taken something as horrible as that to generate the kind of clarion call and funding that is needed. The case for additional funding is now being made so loudly and clearly by so many, it is hard to dismiss it.” |
| Children | Children |
| The Observer | The Observer |
| Social care | Social care |
| Child protection | Child protection |
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| analysis | analysis |
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