Caseloads bigger, more complex and harder to manage, say children’s social workers

Children’s social workers’ caseloads are getting bigger, more complex and harder to manage, taking a toll on their mental health and family life and leaving some contemplating quitting. That was the message from Community Care’s annual caseloads survey, whose respondents painted a picture of severe pressures – arising from Covid, staffing shortages, court requirements and a lack of other services – that undermined practice quality. More than a third of the 506 respondents – all of whom work for English councils or children’s trusts –  said their caseloads were “completely unmanageable”, up from 23% the previous year. A further 52% said their cases were “hard to manage”. Read more.