Independent social workers were given fresh hope over the government’s plans to cap their fees after the Law Society won a judicial review quashing the outcome of the tender round for new family legal aid contracts.

IN more than 30 years in social services on Teesside, Jan Douglas has seen tremendous changes. Her career has been touched by the tragedy of the killing of Nikki Conroy and the controversy of the Cleveland Child Sex Abuse Crisis.

Child protection services leaders in England are warning of a “perfect storm”, with expected funding cuts coming as numbers of referrals rise.

A care worker in the Black Country lost his temper with an 85-year-old patient, slapping him around the head twice and pulling his collar so it choked him, magistrates were told.

Seven in ten social workers say they have experienced situations where they have been unable to protect a child because of the constraints of the job they do, according to the findings of a major BASW survey of the profession.

Employers will not be compelled to ensure social workers are given regular supervision under standards being drawn up by the Social Work Reform Board (SWRB).