Mark Whitehead 24 September 2018

Frontline staff warn of ‘perfect storm’ in children's services

Social workers, education and law enforcement workers in England are facing a ‘perfect storm’ of complex growing need, according to Barnardo's.

The children's charity says the causes include increased poverty and lack of mental health services, and a crisis in the professionals' confidence in their ability to provide the support needed.

Nearly two thirds of those responding to a YouGov poll for Barnardo’s said they had seen an increase in overall numbers of particularly vulnerable children in the past five years, while a full two thirds of those said it is because of a shortfall in early intervention.

Barnardo's says the polling confirms anecdotal evidence of a rising number of cases of children with multiple vulnerabilities including early trauma, neglect, grooming, sexual abuse, exploitation and involvement in gangs.

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said the survey results were 'a real wake up call'.

'With less and less resource for early intervention and long waits for specialist mental health services, we are in danger of failing a generation of vulnerable children who face a future without hope,' he said.

'It’s also a false economy – young people who don’t get help now will develop far deeper and more costly problems in the future.'

Read our feature looking at the postcode lotterr in children's services.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

Durham County Council
£47,688 - £57,954 Soulbury A 3-8 plus SPA points pro rata to hours worked
There are new full and part time posts available as a result of new investment in our Educational Psychology team. This is a fantastic role where you Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £32,597 - £36,363
Exciting Leadership Opportunity Within Keeping Families Together – Team Leader at The Beacon Children’s Home (Seaham)  Are you ready to lead with hea Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Panel Administrator

Durham County Council
Grade 5 £26,403 - £28,598
An exciting new opportunity to join the panel team working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primary base will be Council Offices, Spennymoor. The r Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner