Social Work Now: Trafficked children have been invisible to services for too long

Their exact number is a mystery. But the response from professionals is too often lax. Our main feature this month examines how social workers can be better equipped to make a difference. Trafficking should not be regarded simply as a matter for the immigration authorities. It is a child protection issue. The best professional response to child trafficking is like that of any safeguarding response. It will include early action to intervene, a single multi-agency assessment and good information sharing between agencies. The problem shows no sign of abating. Indeed, the 2012 Olympics threatens to prompt an increase in child trafficking. The authorities had better be prepared.

Ofsted tends to be in the spotlight when things go very wrong in children's services. But last month, the inspectorate sought to reverse the norm by showcasing some of the excellent practice it has found in residential children's homes. On page 9, we look at Minster View in Nottinghamshire, which looks after children with severe learning disabilities. It has been rated outstanding for three successive years and is one of 12 homes featured in the report. Strong leadership and an emphasis on building services around the children's needs have fuelled its high performance. Above all, it's good to see Ofsted finally attempt to share some best practice in children's social care.

Elsewhere, General Social Care Council director of strategy Sherry Malik provides an insight into the new proficiency standards that are set to replace the current code of conduct.

Rounding things off is this month's Thought Leader column, which addresses the importance of good quality supervision for social workers. Professor David Shemmings invokes the example of a trainee surgeon, who in dealing with an angry patient misses key procedures in administering a drip. As he acknowledges, the scenario pales in comparison with the kinds of emotional pressures faced by many social workers on child protection cases. Shemmings argues it highlights the fact that "supervisors need to rebalance their focus" from managing caseloads to become more emotionally supportive to frontline social workers. Professor Eileen Munro's review of child protection is exploring whether to go a step further and actually separate the two roles of managerial oversight and professional supervision. Her final report, now expected in the second week of May, should come to some sort of a judgment.

Ravi Chandiramani, editor-in-chief, Social Work Now