Croydon’s failings show child services need strong management and investment in resources

Following the announcement today that the government has taken control of Croydon’s children’s services after a damning Ofsted report, BASW is calling for strong leadership in the improvement process, and for the government to heed our repeated warnings about the effects of austerity.

“No one in the social work profession would condone poor social work practice or vulnerable children being placed at risk,” says Maris Stratulis, BASW England Manager.

“Good quality service to children and young people requires child focused ethical practice, strong leadership and management and, crucially, investment in resources.”

Inspectors blamed weak management at all levels of the south London borough, but also found many social workers were over-burdened with unsustainable caseloads.

“Good quality service to children and young people requires child focused ethical practice, strong leadership and management and, crucially, investment in resources,” says Stratulis.

“It’s become an all too familiar theme, where high caseloads and staff turnover, coupled with issues over recruitment and retention of key staff, are building barriers to providing effective services for children.”