By Janaki Mahadevan, Thursday 19 April 2012
Criticism of independent social workers is not grounded in evidence, researchers from Oxford University have found.
Family courts have been told to reduce the reliance on independent social workers. The Family Justice Review, which published its final report in November last year, called for independent social workers to only be employed in family courts in exceptional circumstances.
It cited delays in the system and duplication of evidence as reasons for the restricted use of the specialist professionals.
But research from Oxford University, based on 65 cases concerning 121 children, found that cases referred to independent social workers involved children and parents with multiple problems.
In nearly half of the cases, the social workers had conducted work that had not already been undertaken by local authorities. Where reports were delayed, in most cases it was due to change in circumstances of the cases. On all other occasions, the reports were filed to the lead solicitor on time.
John Simmonds, policy director at the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said: “It is clear that there needs to be a re-evaluation of the negative picture that is currently driving reform.
"This must include a robust evaluation of what is at danger of being lost to court processes that make life-changing decisions on the future of children.”
Most of the cases examined by the researchers involved children aged six or younger who were subject to concerns or allegations of failed parenting.
On average, the specialist social workers had 24 years' experience in the children's social care profession.
Hilton Dawson, chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers, said:
“At last we have an evidence base to give us a true indication of the value added to family court proceedings by highly experienced independent social workers. The research challenges the views presented in the Family Justice Review.”
The report concluded that if the government moves forward with the recommendations of the Family Justice Review, without further research into the impact of independent social workers, it risks failing children and increasing delays.
Philip King, director of the Confederation of Independent Social Work Agencies, said: “With a dramatic rise in the numbers of children coming into care, the research highlights that courts may be severely hampered by a lack of access to these experts who have been shown to be able to provide high-quality, forensic reports to meet deadlines.
“The government needs to urgently rethink its policy towards social work experts if it is to meet its own agenda for more decisive and speedier justice for the most vulnerable children within our society.”
Family courts have been told to reduce the reliance on independent social workers. It cited delays in the system and duplication of evidence as reasons for the restricted use of the specialist professionals.
But research from Oxford University, based on 65 cases concerning 121 children, found that cases referred to independent social workers involved children and parents with multiple problems.
In nearly half of the cases, the social workers had conducted work that had not already been undertaken by local authorities. Where reports were delayed, in most cases it was due to change in circumstances of the cases. On all other occasions, the reports were filed to the lead solicitor on time.
John Simmonds, policy director at the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said: “It is clear that there needs to be a re-evaluation of the negative picture that is currently driving reform.
"This must include a robust evaluation of what is at danger of being lost to court processes that make life-changing decisions on the future of children.”
Most of the cases examined by the researchers involved children aged six or younger who were subject to concerns or allegations of failed parenting.
On average, the specialist social workers had 24 years' experience in the children's social care profession.
Hilton Dawson, chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers, said:
“At last we have an evidence base to give us a true indication of the value added to family court proceedings by highly experienced independent social workers. The research challenges the views presented in the Family Justice Review.”
The report concluded that if the government moves forward with the recommendations of the Family Justice Review, without further research into the impact of independent social workers, it risks failing children and increasing delays.
Philip King, director of the Confederation of Independent Social Work Agencies, said: “With a dramatic rise in the numbers of children coming into care, the research highlights that courts may be severely hampered by a lack of access to these experts who have been shown to be able to provide high-quality, forensic reports to meet deadlines.
“The government needs to urgently rethink its policy towards social work experts if it is to meet its own agenda for more decisive and speedier justice for the most vulnerable children within our society.”
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