News

The Local Government Association has warned of a “battle royale” taking place in councils over whether education officers or social workers gain control of children’s services, writes Derren Hayes.

In a meeting at the National Social Services Conference a number of health and social affairs committee members expressed concerns that social care professionals will lose out in the integration of children’s care services and education into one singularly managed department, as recommended by the green paper on children.

Martin Candler from Stockport Council said: “It is quite clear that education professionals are going to make a bid to control this process, certainly in my part of the world. There is a battle royale for control amongst our officers.”

Maureen Robinson, from New Forest Council, said she was “seriously worried about the education take over”, and that headteachers particularly were being “very difficult”

“I am concerned that both the government and some people in local authorities see achievement in terms of education attainment. The wider development of the child has still not taken root."