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Unison is calling for increased funding of social services and higher salaries for social workers in the lead up to the publication of the Victoria Climbie inquiry report, writes Sally Gillen.

The union’s social services spokesperson Owen Davies said that he hoped that the report from Lord Laming, which is expected next week, would address the serious “20-year underfunding” of social services.

He added that he wanted to see the “dreadfully poor” salaries  - which start at just under £17,000  - increased in order to attract the high-calibre staff needed, as well as measures to boost staff morale.

“There is no doubt that staff feel demoralised, under constant threat and many are working in a witch-hunt atmosphere,” said Davies.

Government pressures on public services to modernise has resulted in constant restructuring, which had led to a “sense of dislocation” in many social services departments.

The union also hopes that training will feature strongly in the report. The three-year degree, which starts this September, was welcome but was "too little too late”, added Davies.