Practitioner opinion is split over non-social work qualified staff carrying out child in need assessments, a poll has found.
Under 2023 reforms to the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, staff other than social workers can take on child in need assessments, under the oversight of a social work-qualified manager or practice supervisor.
This approach is currently being tested by the 10 families first for children pathfinder areas, where assessments and cases have been allocated to a range of staff, as part of the development of family help teams. These are responsible for targeted early help and child in need services and include social workers, family support staff and practitioners from disciplines such as substance misuse or domestic abuse.
Under the government's children's social care reforms, family help will be extended nationwide in 2025-26, though it will be up to individual councils to decide how far they do - or do not - ring-fence child in need assessments and cases for social workers.
Divided opinion
Almost half of respondents (46%) said having non-social work qualified staff carry out child in need assessments carried “too much risk for children”.
This chimes with concerns raised by the British Association of Social Workers and Ofsted about the 2023 Working Together changes after they were announced.
Another 43% agreed “in principle” with the idea, but said the staff would need “appropriate training and supervision” for this to work.
Only 11% fully backed the idea, saying that many alternatively qualified staff were “highly skilled” and it would free up social workers’ time.
Practitioners have 'experience, but lack knowledge'
One social worker, in the comments of a related article, called the idea “dangerous”, adding that the practitioners would have “experience, but lack the knowledge”.“It’s a short-term, cost-effective measure that will bear huge costs in the long term, not to mention the human cost and impact that could well be catastrophic.”
However, Tahin responded by saying that there should be less "assumed knowledge", from having a social work qualification, and "more promotion of experience".
What do you think of alternatively qualified staff carrying out child in need assessments and holding these cases?
Your experience with social work mentors
We are looking for social workers to share their experiences to spark conversation among fellow practitioners. Have you had a social work mentor? How did they helped you? How was their support different to a supervisor's?Share your perspective through a 10-minute interview (or a few short paragraphs) to be published in Community Care. This can be anonymous.
To express interest, email us at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.
