Q Should I encourage and expect social workers in my team to pay more attention to income, employment, housing and other material circumstances in their assessments?
Yes. Research led by Professor Paul Bywaters from Coventry University and sponsored by the Nuffield Foundation shows very strong links between material deprivation and intervention in children’s lives by children’s services.
Material circumstances make a big difference to how a family copes with other adversities and to the day-to-day experiences of children. Social workers should ensure assessments cover in detail housing, income, employment and employment history and what material support is available to the family.
Action on these issues should be included in child protection and child in need plans and care plans for looked-after children. These actions can be delegated, but it is important social workers maintain a close interest in how these issues are addressed. They should ensure the plans made are implemented and track the impact of this work on children’s quality of life.
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