Ruth Allen speaks to MPs on state of children’s services

On Monday, the Housing, communities and local government committee held a meeting in Westminster met to discuss the pressures on local authorities’ children’s services.

In the second session witnesses, including BASW chief executive Ruth Allen, answered question on the increase in child protection investigations, foster care, funding, the troubled families programme and the work environment of social workers.

Responding to what is behind the recent increase in child protection investigations, Allen cited several reasons including the reduction in early help and universal services such as the policy, voluntary services, NHS to pick up early signs.

She also added that today the problems and awareness of additional threats and risks were addressed in a contextual way, which added positively to dealing with these issues.

You can watch the full meeting here.