Recession link to increase in child referrals
REFERRALS to Carmarthenshire Council's children's services leapt to 3,493 last year.
The rise comes as its head warned that children's services would come under increasing pressure because of the recession.
A report on Carmarthenshire's social services by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) revealed that the number of referrals in the year jumped from 3,249 the previous year to 3,493.
Gwynne Wooldridge, executive board member for education and children's services, said: "Referrals will inevitably rise as communities come under increasing pressure because of the recession, and this, coupled with the results of the awareness raising we do, has resulted in extra vigilance among communities and professionals about the welfare of children in the community.
"Despite this, the service continues to perform well with our recent audit highlighting it as among the best performing and best value in Wales.
"We all have a duty to protect children, and if anyone has any concerns about a child's welfare I would urge them to call our team."
Latest statistics gained by CSSIW also revealed that the county council was working with 1,135 children in need.
The report said: "This number included 245 looked-after children and 95 whose names were on the child protection register. The council reports that all of the looked-after children and child protection cases are allocated to social workers and the percentage of children in need cases allocated to social workers had increased to 63 per cent."
The report adds that the rate of children becoming looked after increased 7 per cent during 2010/11 which equates to 261 at the end of March last year.
The CSSIW added: "This rise is reported to be putting an increasing strain on resources and the capacity of staff."
Head of children's services Jake Morgan said: "There have been ongoing demand-led pressures on children's services.
"However, the numbers of children on the child protection register and looked-after children have been stable for the last six months, with investments in family support services paying clear dividends in managing this demand."
If you need to contact the child protection team call 01554 742322.
4 Comments
by Carnabwth
Monday, January 16 2012, 11:49PM
“I think you will find that this is not the case.
The system is protected by Secret Courts.”
by Carnabwth
Monday, January 16 2012, 11:24PM
“If this is the case, then why are so many children abused in care.
There is one case where a judge had to order an immediate removal of a child in care.
One day the child was perfectly blemish free, days later paramedics took the child from a contact centre.
Caseworking evidence indicate more and more children being abused and unaccounted for.
Like I said trafficking of children is a multi £m industry. An industry protected by Secret Courts and aided by the HM Partnership that includes the Police.
Christopher Booker is one such journalist that provides the evidence.”
by weslangdon
Monday, January 16 2012, 10:07PM
“All foster carers either with private fostering agencies or working for a local authority undergo exactly the same assessment as a prospective adoptive family.”
by Carnabwth
Monday, January 16 2012, 4:58PM
“Forced Adoption is a £m industry.
Where have all the missing children gone Messrs Wooldridge and Morgan.
Is it not true that children are taken from loving families and placed with unscreened foster carers with no parental skills at astronomical cost to the public purse.”