And councils are spending on average 63 per cent more than the fundsthey are given by the Scottish Executive, it states.
Strathclyde University professor Arthur Midwinter, who prepared thereport for the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW), said: "Itis clear that the status quo is a recipe for instability and uncertaintyover the funding, provision and effectiveness of children's social workservices, which are vital to the wellbeing of children in need of careand protection."
The ADSW said there has been a 10 per cent rise in the number ofchildren being looked after by Scottish local authorities since 2001,but funding has not kept pace. There are currently 1,500 children inresidential care, 3,600 in foster care, and 7,000 receiving supporteither at home or in the community. The report calls for the number ofsocial workers to be increased by a quarter to 4,700 to cope with theextra workload.
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