REDBRIDGE: More social workers needed to deal with steep rise in number of children 'at risk' (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

REDBRIDGE: More social workers are needed to deal with a steep rise in the number of Redbridge children in care or subject to protection orders

4:05pm Monday 20th July 2009 in News

MORE social workers are needed to cope with a steep rise in the number of Redbridge children judged to be ‘at risk.’

Over 360 youngsters are now either in care or the subject of a child protection plan - up from 316 last year - with the council blaming the increase on the borough’s growing population and heightened public awareness of abuse caused by the Baby P scandal.

An extra £400,000 was earmarked to pay for new social workers in this year’s budget, with the council’s cabinet due to make a final decision on the issue at a meeting on Tuesday, July 28.

Cllr Gary Monro, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "The cabinet is being asked to agree to release this funding in light of the significant increases in the number of children looked after and who are subject to child protection plans.

“These additional resources are essential if we want to continue to maintain safeguarding standards."