Speaking in a keynote debate at the inaugural Children Now Fund conference, Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said many teaching staff were already "overstretched", while Daycare Trust chair Lisa Harker described the plans for change as "highly underdeveloped".
Meanwhile Andy Bilson, professor of social work research at the University of Central Lancashire, warned that integration should not lead to a loss of professional identity.
The debate, chaired by Channel Four News presenter Alex Thomson, revealed that many barriers still exist to creating an integrated children's workforce.
Sinnott said he welcomed social workers in schools but expressed concern that the Every Child Matters agenda might force teachers to take on extra responsibilities. He added: "We will need to change the culture in some of our schools. Schools have got to change the way they operate and they will need to if we're working more closely with other professionals who deal with children.
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