Social workers will "vote with their feet" and leave their jobs if they are not fully consulted about reforms to the children's workforce, the British Association of Social Workers has warned.

It said officials would be "wise to learn from past errors" and that leadership, management and supervision were crucial to the success of the children's workforce strategy.

In its response to a consultation on the strategy that closed last week, the association also warned that too many social workers were employed in complex children and families work too quickly.

Social services directors said the strategy should focus more on safeguarding children and on working with parents and families.

The response from the Association of Directors of Social Services said the government should add safety to the list of four major challenges set out in the workforce strategy.

The Fostering Network said the workforce must be "child-centred and child-focused at all times".