Pressure on Bournemouth social services due to Baby P case

BOURNEMOUTH councillors say they are not surprised that their social workers have seen a rise in cases, following the death of Baby Peter in Haringey, London.

Bournemouth’s cabinet heard that although cost savings have been made, it’s still not enough to meet projected £1.851 million budget pressures.

Jane Portman, executive director of children and family services, told the meeting there were 191 “looked after” children.

There was such demand, the council had to place some children out of Bournemouth.

“The average cost of placements is reducing even though the number of placements continues to rise,” she said.

But she said the authority had attracted 13 more foster carers and 22 new members of staff had been recruited, some from America, and would be in their posts by January. There will also be two new team managers.

She added: “We are in a much stronger position now.

“We will have sufficient social workers in place.”

A report said that in April 2008 central government transferred the costs of legal proceedings for children at risk to councils, and court processes also changed so that councils became responsible for the full costs of independent assessments.

Bournemouth had problems recruiting and retaining staff as it offered lower salaries compared to neighbouring councils.

It also had to pay agency staff while trying to fill vacant posts.

Cllr Barry Goldbart said: “In terms of demand on the service, one would have expected it to go up as people become less prepared to take risks with children.

“Children’s safety is paramount to me and to the rest of this council.”

Chief executive Pam Donnellan said: “I think the director has given a very accurate and measured response.

“It is a national problem as well as a regional problem.”