A joint targeted area inspection (JTAI) of the multi-agency response to domestic abuse in Medway raised concerns about the impact that persistent workforce challenges faced by the local authority is having on the standard of social care services.
"The local authority faces a significant challenge in recruiting and retaining a sufficiently skilled and stable workforce to ensure that children receive a consistent standard of service," the report states.
"Workforce pressures relating to vacancies, turnover and reliance on temporary agency staff remain serious. Many social workers in assessment teams have high caseloads and, for some, they are excessive.
"These problems mean that it is difficult for children to build a trusting relationship with a single consistent social worker."
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