Children’s Services Leader Sounds Alarm
In a chilling revelation, a social services leader has expressed her deep concern for the future of children’s services. This apprehension is rooted in the wake of staggering findings brought to light by BBC Wales. These findings paint a disconcerting picture of a substantial surge in demand on local authorities. The situation is particularly dire as one council in Wales grapples with a distressing doubling of safeguarding referrals, cases involving children at risk of abuse or neglect. The Welsh government acknowledges the pressures mounting on councils and pledges to continue collaborating with partners.
Rising Demand Straining Children’s Services
The data leaves us in no doubt about the growing strain on children’s services. In the year 2022-23, there were over 220,000 contacts with children’s services departments, a number that stands against a backdrop of approximately 623,000 children under 18 in Wales. This marks a significant increase from the 201,452 contacts recorded the year prior.
A deeper dive into the data reveals that, compared to the preceding year, the number of contacts surged in almost all of the 20 councils that responded to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from BBC Wales. Denbighshire stands out with the most substantial rise, soaring from 5,147 in 2021-22 to 8,202. Bridgend too experienced a dramatic spike in safeguarding referrals, surging from 1,086 in 2021-22 to 2,154 in 2022-23. Safeguarding referrals saw an uptick in 11 of the 17 councils that responded.
The pandemic initially led to a drop in these numbers, but they rebounded significantly in the year following the lifting of lockdown measures. Meeting this escalating demand for assistance in safeguarding comes at a substantial cost, with Bridgend’s social services cabinet member, Jane Gebbie, revealing that children’s services had overspent by £7.5 million in a single year. This precarious financial position is one many councils find themselves in, raising concerns about sustainability.
Rising Challenges for Social Workers
Social workers bear a growing responsibility to address this surge in demand. Child exploitation, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic contribute to this rising challenge. Families lost crucial support networks and access to services during the pandemic. Nationally, mental health issues have posed significant challenges. The cost of living crisis has pushed social workers to support families that may not have required council assistance before the pandemic.
Raeanna Grainger, a children’s safeguarding manager in Bridgend, elucidates the evolving role of social workers in Wales. She manages the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, where all initial contacts related to safeguarding are received and assessed by various agencies, including social services, education, health, and the police. Her primary responsibility is to ensure that responses to safeguarding are safe and appropriate.
The impact of this heightened responsibility is felt across Wales, with social workers grappling with complex issues tied to child exploitation, rising living costs, and the lasting consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: A Looming Challenge
The surge in safeguarding referrals and the overwhelming demand on children’s services paint a troubling picture. The challenge of addressing these issues and safeguarding children’s well-being looms large. The financial strain on councils, coupled with the evolving role of social workers, underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive response to ensure a brighter and safer future for our children.
Erin Balsa is a highly skilled and knowledgeable health journalist with a passion for educating the public on important health and wellness topics. With extensive experience in both traditional and digital media, Erin has established herself as a trusted voice in the field.