Support social workers in wake of child deaths, experts urge

Media reports following trials over the murders of Arthur, aged six, and 16-month-old Star, at the hands of their parents' respective partners during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic have described “failures” by social workers who received reports of concern for both children.

Ray Jones, emeritus professor of social work, Kingston University and St George’s, University of London, said such reports “promote threats and violence targeted at social workers”.

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This “will make it less safe for children now and post pandemic as it will be more difficult to recruit and retain experienced and stable workforces across all the services which work with children and families,” he added.

Jones also highlighted increased challenges faced by social workers during lockdowns including limited physical contact on home visits meaning they were “distanced” from families, less support and supervision from managers and decreased workforce numbers due to illness.

The closure of schools, youth services and reduction of maternity and health visiting services also meant concerns were not picked up as they usually would be, Jones said.

“The increase in serious incidents and deaths of children during lockdown showed that, able to function without the hurdles and hindrances imposed by the pandemic lockdown, children’s social services with their partners are successful in preventing and reacting to serious concerns of harm to children,” he added.

Others have called for the Care Review to include the need for increased support and resources for social workers to be able to work effectively in its recommendations to the government.

Charlotte Ramsden, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said in the wake of the two deaths “national and local learning reviews are ongoing, and we all have a duty to ensure these horrendous cases produce lasting learning for the greater good”.

She added that social workers “carry huge responsibility on behalf of us all and they must be supported by a system that enables them to do their jobs effectively”. 

“We hope any system level recommendations that come out of the national review into children’s social care will enable us to better meet the needs of all children and young people,” Ramsden said.

A statement from the Association of Child Protection Professionals (AoCPP) called on the public to “be confident in contacting child protection services”, saying “these services are open during the Christmas and New Year period. A call can make all the difference for a child.”

“The AoCPP calls on the current review of children's social care and the government to prioritise increasing resources for our children's services so that as a society we can provide the care and protection that they deserve,” it added.