Child protection faces more problems

Victoria Climbie died through "extreme torture"

By Sanchia Berg BBC Radio 4's Today programme

As the results of a public inquiry into the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie are due to be published, research for BBC Radio 4's Today programme suggests problems within the capital's child protection services are far from over.

Whatever Lord Laming recommends, experienced child protection workers will be needed to carry it out.

Research across 21 of the 33 London authorities suggests that there is a severe shortage of permanent, experienced social workers in this area.

Through the trade union Unison and local authorities we gathered figures on vacancies in children¿s' services focussing on child protection teams where possible.

Unions say newly qualified social workers are being thrown into "heavy duty" child protection cases on their very first day

Vacancy rates varied hugely. Ironically Haringey, where Victoria Climbie died, has a relatively low vacancy rate now: they have increased starting salaries significantly.

More than 80% of their staff in child protection are permanent. By contrast, only 48% of posts in Islington are filled by permanent staff - and only 44% in Brent children's services.

Most of the gaps are covered by agency staff.

Unison branch stewards across London are concerned work in frontline child protection is being done by unqualified, inexperienced, or foreign workers.

In Bromley, Glen Kelly has established that unqualified staff are working across child protection teams, responding to calls from doctors and police officers.

Other branch stewards say newly qualified social workers are being thrown into "heavy duty" child protection cases on their very first day, with little support from senior staff.

In certain boroughs, significant numbers of social workers have been recruited from outside the UK and Unison officers are concerned they are not familiar with British law and practice.

To protect children, social workers must develop relationships with their families over time, says Professor Eileen Munro of the London School of Economics.

She says it is vital that front line child protection workers work in established stable teams, so they can discuss their cases with senior staff, better interpret difficult situations they encounter and learn from their mistakes.

She sees many experienced people, with 15 or 20 years expertise, leaving this field, frustrated by the new checklists and paperwork they have to complete.

The job is becoming "more clerical, less intuitive, less professional", she says.

And Professor Munro fears that Lord Laming's report could actually make the recruitment crisis worse .

First, the inevitable criticism of social workers could deter potential recruits.

Second, a new set of guidelines and checks could spur yet more experienced staff to leave the public sector.