Early evidence from the review shows that while previous reforms were well-intentioned, they did not deliver positive, long-lasting improvements at the frontline. She added that changes made in reaction to high-profile cases over the past four decades have focused on parts of the system, rather than considering the whole system.
Presenting the initial findings, Munro said: "I want to be clear from the start that there are no simple quick-fix solutions to improving the child protection system. A key question for the review is why the well-intentioned reforms of the past haven’t worked.
"Piecemeal changes have resulted in a system where social workers are more focused on complying with procedures. This is taking them away from spending time with children and families and limiting their ability to make informed judgements."
Problems identified in the report include an over-emphasis on compliance with rules and regulations, resulting in less time spent on assessing children’s needs, a target-driven culture stopping staff from exercising professional judgement and the impact on children from delays in the family court system.
Munro added: "Professionals should rightly take responsibility when things go wrong, but they need more freedom to make decisions, more support and understanding, and less prescription and censure. Too often social workers are either criticised for breaking up families or for missing a case of abuse. But the system they work in is built around predicting a parent’s ability to look after their child, which is never certain.
"We need a system that constantly looks to do things better. Any solution must prioritise meeting the needs of children."
Responding to the initial scoping report, junior children’s minister Tim Loughton said: "I have spent the last week shadowing social workers in an immersive exercise to see what happens at the sharp end. Social workers need to have the confidence to make tough decisions and make a positive difference."
The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) welcomed the publication of the first report, describing it as "clear, analytical and child focused".
Matt Dunkley, ADCS vice-president, said: "[The report] recognises the pressures that child protection services are under and the potential for significantly reducing the prescriptive guidance and performance management framework to redirect social workers' time and effort towards working directly with children and families and improving their lives."
He added: "Professor Munro's follow-up reports will not be published before funding for local authority services is agreed in the Comprehensive Spending Review but there must be some financial provision to support local authorities and their partners in reconfiguring services to make the best use of social workers' time and provide a better service to children, young people and their families."
