This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7919725.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Jobs plea to ex-social workers | Jobs plea to ex-social workers |
| (1 day later) | |
| Recently retired social workers are being urged to return to the profession in a bid to solve staff shortages. | Recently retired social workers are being urged to return to the profession in a bid to solve staff shortages. |
| The Local Government Association (LGA) is launching a campaign to recruit social workers for children as it fears shortages could put youngsters at risk. | The Local Government Association (LGA) is launching a campaign to recruit social workers for children as it fears shortages could put youngsters at risk. |
| The LGA worries that cases such as that of Baby P will make it harder to attract and retain staff. | The LGA worries that cases such as that of Baby P will make it harder to attract and retain staff. |
| The LGA, which hopes to tempt back 5,000 ex-social workers, says 10% of posts in the profession are unfilled. | The LGA, which hopes to tempt back 5,000 ex-social workers, says 10% of posts in the profession are unfilled. |
| Baby P died in August 2007 at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger - despite being on the child protection register and receiving 60 contacts from the authorities over eight months. | Baby P died in August 2007 at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger - despite being on the child protection register and receiving 60 contacts from the authorities over eight months. |
| The LGA said it feared such cases could reduce respect for social workers, prompting current staff to leave and putting off new candidates. | The LGA said it feared such cases could reduce respect for social workers, prompting current staff to leave and putting off new candidates. |
| Being a child social worker is one of the toughest jobs in Britain LGA chairman Margaret Eaton | Being a child social worker is one of the toughest jobs in Britain LGA chairman Margaret Eaton |
| Its report, Respect and Protect, said: "The fallout from the devastating case of Baby P is still being felt. | Its report, Respect and Protect, said: "The fallout from the devastating case of Baby P is still being felt. |
| "Historical evidence shows that as respect for child social workers declines, people who were looking at child protection as their chosen career think again. | "Historical evidence shows that as respect for child social workers declines, people who were looking at child protection as their chosen career think again. |
| "Many long-standing experienced professionals may also decide enough is enough and leave. | "Many long-standing experienced professionals may also decide enough is enough and leave. |
| "Just when we need to be tightening the safety net to do our best never to repeat the mistakes that contributed to the death of Baby P, there becomes an increased danger that the gaps widen as people decide it's time to get out." | "Just when we need to be tightening the safety net to do our best never to repeat the mistakes that contributed to the death of Baby P, there becomes an increased danger that the gaps widen as people decide it's time to get out." |
| 'Tireless work' | 'Tireless work' |
| Helga Pile, of the social workers' union Unison, said that the Baby P case had impacted on recruitment and public perception of social workers. | Helga Pile, of the social workers' union Unison, said that the Baby P case had impacted on recruitment and public perception of social workers. |
| "There is a feeling I think that conditions they're working under mean that they can't be confident that they've necessarily got a handle on all their cases," she said. | "There is a feeling I think that conditions they're working under mean that they can't be confident that they've necessarily got a handle on all their cases," she said. |
| "And the other big fall-out from it has been a rise in the number of sort of assaults, abuse and threats that our members are facing out there from members of the public." | "And the other big fall-out from it has been a rise in the number of sort of assaults, abuse and threats that our members are facing out there from members of the public." |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| Launching the recruitment campaign, LGA chairman Margaret Eaton said: "In the short term we must encourage up to 5,000 recently retired child social work professionals back to the front line to help keep children safe. | Launching the recruitment campaign, LGA chairman Margaret Eaton said: "In the short term we must encourage up to 5,000 recently retired child social work professionals back to the front line to help keep children safe. |
| "Being a child social worker is one of the toughest jobs in Britain. Encouraging back those who have been at the front line tirelessly working to save the lives of vulnerable children is key to helping plug the gaps and ensure that we, as a nation, can do everything we can to keep them safe. | "Being a child social worker is one of the toughest jobs in Britain. Encouraging back those who have been at the front line tirelessly working to save the lives of vulnerable children is key to helping plug the gaps and ensure that we, as a nation, can do everything we can to keep them safe. |
| "It is a tough job to do, and for councils it is the toughest job to fill." | "It is a tough job to do, and for councils it is the toughest job to fill." |