New rules pile pressure on social workers

UNISON has backed calls from the Local Government Association (LGA) to cut added targets and rules placed on social workers. The latest LGA report highlights the potentially damaging impact of Lord Laming’s recommendation, requiring every referral from another professional to be followed up by a formal process known as an initial assessment.

Commenting on the LGA report, Helga Pile, UNISON National Officer for Social Services, said:

“This new requirement could cause referral and assessment teams to implode. UNISON estimates that local government is short of at least 6,000 social workers. Where are we going to find the extra 2,000 social workers needed to implement this measure? Staff shortages are already piling pressure on social work teams, who are struggling with an increase in demand since the baby Peter case. “

She went on to say:

“In addition social workers tell us they already spend too much time dealing with paperwork, leaving them little time left to spend face to face with clients. Cutting the burden of bureaucracy would be a real step in the right direction.”

Posted via email from UNISON (East Midlands)