A new model for social care promises to 'put relationships over bureaucracy'.
Social work charity Frontline and the Centre for Public Impact think tank say they have support from leaders in the social work profession for 'blueprint'.
It is based on the principles of the Dutch 'Buurtzorg' nursing model, which aims to devolve decision making and create a culture of trust and support.
The blueprint's authors say a recent survey found that social workers only spend 20% of their time in direct face-to-face contact with families, while one out of every three do not work directly with children.
They say the key benefits of adopting the blueprint model would be that social workers spend about 60% more time with children and families and their caseloads would be reduced.
It would raise standards of care through increased supervision and transparency, helping families stay together safely and reducing the number of children going into care.
Josh MacAlister of Frontline said: 'This blueprint represents a chance to give social workers greater freedom and responsibility and get thousands of professionals back to doing what they came into social work to do.'
