Family lawyers have spoken out against proposals to outsource children’s social work functions.
Currently, local authorities can delegate functions relating to looked after children or children who are leaving the care of the local authority.
However, local authorities would be given powers to outsource children’s social work services in England, including child protection, to external providers under a government consultation, Powers to delegate children’s social care functions. The only exception would be adoption services.
An Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC) spokesperson says: “The ALC believes that the most important consideration should be the child’s welfare and best interests. We are concerned that this paramount consideration may be lost, and at the very least confused and diluted, when social work for these children is carried out by private organisations, with their own need to generate profits.”
The consultation lasts six weeks and closes on 30 May.
The ALC argues that the government should concentrate on improving the practices of front line social workers, in line with the recommendations of the 2011 Munro Report.
