WIREDGOV

Responding to Michael Gove's speech on social care yesterday, Cllr David Simmonds, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said:

"With a national shortage of experienced, capable social workers councils are battling every day to get the right people to ensure that the most vulnerable in our communities are kept safe from harm.

"Keeping vulnerable children safe is one of the most important tasks that councils are responsible for and elected local politicians remain determined to ensure high standards and a robust approach to turning around the lives of children who face abuse, harm or neglect.

"Social workers do incredibly important work in difficult circumstances and it's vital they do it well. Councils are determined to enable the highest professional standards and at a time when funding for children's services has reduced from Government, local politicians are increasing the amount spent on keeping children safe."

Contact

Victoria Daly, Senior Media Officer
Local Government Association
Telephone: 020 7664 3308
Email: victoria.daly@local.gov.uk

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