SOCIAL workers dealing with at-risk children in Enfield are generally satisfactory but are “significantly stretched”, an unplanned inspection has found.

Serious problems in child protection services at three councils have been uncovered following surprise inspections, it was revealed today.

Surrey County Council’s (SCC) under-fire children’s services has closed as many as 500 cases so it can focus on its most vulnerable children.

POLICE and social services were yesterday investigating unexplained injuries to pupils at a nursery. They said three children were involved, although the nursery’s owners suggested it was only one.

Social care workers who look after older and disabled people have had a raw deal under successive governments and should be paid more and given greater status, says the health secretary, Andy Burnham.

A project trialled in Sussex to improve child services will be rolled out across the country. Dubbed the Leading Improvements for Looked After Children (Lilac), the scheme was based on the findings of three young people who had been in care in Sussex.