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Social services crisis fear at staff exodus

Sue Carr
19/11/2003

TAMESIDE'S children's services could reach crisis point if more staff are not found within the next five years.

This is the warning from the director of Social Services and follows an upgrading of the council department from one to two stars following a review by the Social Services Inspectorate.

Despite the higher rating, concerns were raised about children's services and bosses say the problem lies with a shortage of people training to be social workers and managers leaving for less stressful jobs.

The department has also seen a 41 per cent rise in referrals to children's services between April 2002 and March 2003.

Colin McKinless, strategic director of Social Services, said the council is doing everything it can to ensure that the situation, which has seen a steady decline in the past three to five years, does not get any worse.

"There are a number of areas we need to improve on and we will accept that," he said.

"But we have had significant recruitment difficulties around social workers and experienced and suitable managers and we would rather get the right people for those jobs than just get bums on seats for the inspectorate. This is a long-term game and we want to get it right."

There are now several new systems in place to improve the way the department works. These include a new computer system to help staff deal with paperwork more efficiently and plans to recruit more people.

"It's not an easy job and with government schemes such as SureStart, people are leaving for easier jobs on the same pay but with less stress and responsibility," said Mr McKinless.

"Our training is praised in the report and new staff are now looking for jobs that provide good training so it is important we maintain that."

He added: "It's going to take five to 10 years to work and we are all going to have difficulties for the next three or more years, but it is vital to remember that there are far more strengths in the report than weaknesses. Everything we are doing points in the right direction."