High Court judge praises tireless ‘coalface work’ carried out by social workers

A High Court judge has praised the tireless “coalface work” carried out by social workers on behalf of vulnerable children, despite funding issues.

Mr Justice Williams, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, highlighted the efforts made by a Gloucestershire County Council social worker involved in a case he recently oversaw.

He said that the work the social worker had done was a testament to the efforts made by those operating under “huge pressure”.

“The work that the local authority and in particular their social workers have put into this case is testament to the dedication and commitment of social work professionals to the welfare of the children they have responsibility for,” the judge said in a ruling on the case.

“In an era when social workers are working under huge pressure as a result of funding issues… this case is a shining example of how, despite those pressures, the social workers at the coalface work tirelessly on behalf of vulnerable children and families to improve their lives.”

The case the judge oversaw centred on the care of two children whose parents had separated.

He said the children’s mother had caused serious injuries to one of the youngsters and could not look after them.

Gloucestershire council social services bosses proposed that the children should live with their father, and stay in contact with their mother, and Mr Justice Williams approved that plan.

He said the children could not be identified in media reports of the case and did not name the social worker involved.

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