Children’s Social Care Reforms | BASW England Response
BASW England welcomes the UK Government's plans to reform the children's social care system in England and shifting the focus to early intervention and family support. These steps will be critical in addressing longstanding challenges in the system and improving outcomes for children and families.
We support measures to limit profiteering by private providers, improve financial transparency, and strengthen not-for-profit provision. The introduction of multi-agency safeguarding teams and extending Staying Close for care leavers are also positive developments.
It is right that every area in England should provide the same level of supportive and welcoming Family Help services, with multi-agency working at the forefront of this work. However, concerns remain about how roles will be defined within these teams. The social work role is crucial, highly skilled, and must not be diluted by sharing safeguarding-specific tasks with professionals who have limited or no background in this area.
We also urge the government to avoid reliance on further pilot schemes. There is already sufficient evidence of what works for children, families, and their communities. Funding must support all children across the country, not just those in pilot areas, as has been the case with recent investment following the Stable Homes, Built on Love report.
These reforms must be matched with significant investment in the social care workforce. Social workers are already stretched thin, managing heavy caseloads and facing staff shortages. Without sufficient resources, these ambitious plans risk falling short.
We call on the government to engage with social workers and care-experienced people to ensure reforms are practical and effective. The upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement must prioritise funding for councils and the workforce to deliver these changes.
BASW England stands ready to support any meaningful efforts that bring improvements for children, families, and social workers.
