Tributes have been paid to Lancashire dad Philip Ellison, the social worker stabbed to death while doing his job.

Married father-of-three Mr Ellison, of Leyland Road, Penwortham, was attacked with a knife at a supported housing block in Glebe Close, Fulwood, Preston on Monday.

The 47-year-old, a social worker in adult care at Lancashire County Council, suffered multiple stab wounds and later died of his injuries.

Social care bosses and community leaders described Mr Ellison as a “respected, dedicated social worker”.

One friend said: “Deepest sympathies to his wife, sons and extended family.

“I considered Phil one of those people who genuinely cared and went the extra mile for people. It’s a sad situation to find social workers put into danger to be killed trying to do their best.”

The Homelessness Action Team, the joint project between the Housing Corporation and Communities and Local Government, has been extended for another 12 months to the end of March 2009 due to the success of its first year’s work, the Housing Corporation announced.

Thousands of shops, restaurants and cafés will be forced to register their staff with a new child protection agency and have their criminal records checked if they employ children for weekend or summer holiday work.

Out-of-hours provision in the NHS is now so complex that it is hard for patients to know who they should call and where to go, according to a report.