Local authorities voice concern over impact of Baby Peter case

Further evidence has emerged that the Baby Peter case has sparked a surge in local authority applications for court care proceedings and had a significant impact upon social work practice.

A report conducted by research orgainisation NFER and commissioned by the Local Government Association found that the impact of the Baby Peter case has had a range of effects on different local authorities, from a drop in staff morale to increased child protection concerns from both the public and agencies outside of social work departments.

While the research found that local authorities are positive about the future of child protection services in light of work such as the Lord Laming review and that of the Social Work Taskforce, councils are calling for more resources to implemement crucial recommendations.

The report states: “Just more than two-thirds (25) of survey respondents reported an increase in the level of applications made in their authorities since the case of Baby Peter was made public in November 2008.

“Respondents to the online survey and those involved in the case studies reported a rise in public and practitioner interest in, and sensitivity towards, child protection issues following the case of Baby Peter being made public.”

The report identified that in some local authorities, the resulting high caseloads of social workers, managers and legal advisers have impeded the quality of work. Researchers also highlighted that “there is considerable concern about actual or imminent shortfalls in resources, with local authorities paying out substantial sums of money to agencies for staff and children’s placements and to the courts”.

Morale, recruitment and retention and relationships with partner agencies were also said to be tested by increasing care applications.