Union blasts shortcomings in child services

Leaders of the trade union Unison complained there were “too few resources to match too many children at risk”.

Scotland’s vulnerable children are being put at risk by a lack of resources, union leaders have claimed.

Leaders of the trade union Unison – which represents many social services staff – complained that there were “too few resources to match too many children at risk”.

In the wake of recent high-profile child abuse cases, social work union leaders are raising the issue at a child protection conference in Edinburgh on Friday.

The conference was called after inspectors criticised Aberdeen child protection services in November 2008, stating they were not confident all children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect were receiving the help and support they needed.

And, as recently as March, serious concerns about the child protection services in Moray were identified.

A UK-wide survey of social work staff carried out by Unison recently claimed there were problems such as reduced resources, staff vacancies and workers having to deal with increased caseloads and excessive bureaucracy.

John Stevenson, a member of the union’s social work issues group, insisted: “While it is right that high standards are expected in child protection, they cannot be achieved without the tools to do the job.

“It is right that we look at systems. It is right that we inspect and improve practice to make children safer.

“But it misses the point totally if we do not address the root problem of too few resources to match too many children at risk.”

He went on: “You only have to divide the number of children assessed as being in need with the number of social workers available across Scotland to see where the problem lies.

“Our members want to work to high standards. They want to be accountable and most of all they want to protect children. But they tell us that too often they are being asked to do this with one hand tied behind their back.”

The Scottish Government said the number of social workers had increased “consistently” in recent years, and the numbers completing social work undergraduate courses was also increasing.

A spokeswoman added: “To help staff feel safe in alerting senior managers if they feel the intensity or volume of their caseloads are leaving children at risk, the children’s minister recently wrote to child protection agencies reminding them of their obligation to ensure policies are in place which allow workers to speak out.

“Scotland already has most robust child protection inspection system in the UK, allowing problems to be identified quickly and action taken immediately,” se said

“Social Work Inspection Agency inspections tell us that quality of service is related to management of resources, rather than the level of resources.”