More support for Bristol social workers

Long term funding has been secured for a team of Social Work Assistants to work alongside Social Workers in Bristol.

The theory is to free up social workers to spend more time with vulnerable children and families in the city. £200,000 is being invested in social work assistants, a new role for Bristol City Council.

The council tells us the seven full-time assistants are taking on more routine and practical tasks such as reviewing payments to families, passport applications, medical paperwork or supervising contact visits between children and their families.

The new roles were implemented a year ago through various external grants but have now been confirmed for core permanent funding from the council.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Councillor Clare Campion-Smith said: “It can’t be underestimated how vital the role of the new social work assistants have been.  Social workers can spend many hours on tasks that are important to families but are administrative.  The less time that social workers spend at their desks allows for more contact with families and vulnerable children.

“I understand that many of the new social work assistants would like to now follow a career in social work we will support them in their ambitions and ensure that the role continues.

“As well as the new assistants we have been working with the Children Development Workforce Council to attract more experienced social workers back to the profession through a refresher course.  13 have now graduated from this and are being encouraged to apply for jobs in Bristol.”

Anne Farmer is an Area Service Manager for Bristol City Council’s Children Services.

She told us the measure was introduced ahead of a national report into services in the wake of cases like Baby P: “The report is to be produced in the spring by Eileen Munroe, who’s been asked by the government to look at front line social work.

“We’re anticipating that some of the things she may be saying about making sure social workers are freed up to do that job.

“Social work assistants are our way of starting the response she may request of local authorities.”

She added that they hope the fully trained staff will help to make a positive difference: “We’re quite excited about these new roles. We want to make sure that people feel confident that we will continue to provide a good safeguarding service.

“We were really pleased with our Ofstead report which graded us as good and we want to keep going with the good service.”