In eight English councils, the shortfall is so acute that more than a third of all social work posts are empty

This isn't news! this has been the situation for years, even under the last Conservative administration.

Social work faces recruitment crisis after Baby P case, Tories say Around one in seven social work jobs is empty because of a "recruitment crisis" that threatens vulnerable children, the Conservatives have said.

By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent

Last Updated: 10:15AM GMT 03 Feb 2009

The Tories warned that the poor public image of social work and the growing pressure on social workers is cutting the number of people willing to enter the profession.

In eight English councils, the shortfall is so acute that more than a third of all social work posts are empty, the Tories said.

Among them is Haringey in north London, now notorious for the death of Baby P last year.

The Conservatives' children's spokesman, Tim Loughton, will today publish the results of a party study into the state of social work, which makes a number of recommendations to change

A third of people who graduate with social work qualifications never enter the profession.
Many who do start the job leave within the first year, the Tories have found.

Social work faces recruitment crisis after Baby P case, Tories say - Telegraph

It has been my observations of Social Workers that most of those who take up the challenge of Children's Services have not been up to the job, and look at it as a short term situation, looks good on the CV, and to move on to another post quick
in case their ineffectual dabbling comes to light.

I have had social workers, on a lot more money and better career prospects than I working in residential child care, asking me if they need to turn up at court with their client!

Hey! your the child's SW on nearly £30,000 a year, what do you think?

Many have left in tears when the child challenges them on the level of care (or not) the SW has demonstrated.

I have seen just how many placements and Social Workers these children I have looked after have been allocated, and it is not surprising that most of these young people leave care without any social or educational attainment to enable them to function. They have little concept of adults being consistent or reliable because they have been let down those who remit is to be consistent and reliable, and see Social Services as part of the problem rather than a solution.

I find it rather odd that our leaders have to go to Finland to find out, after all the time and money thrown at Children's Services, that having someone who will be a constant during the child's care needs would help.

They could have paid me all that money and I could have told them.

I would call them Muppets but that would be an insult to puppeteers, so I will just say Useless and leave it at that.

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