Union warns another child will die

Unison has warned that it is only a matter of time before
another child dies in similar circumstances to Victoria Climbie,
writes Sally Gillen.

In its evidence to the second phase of the inquiry into the
eight-year-old ‘s death, the union calls on the government to
tackle chronic lack of resources and shortages of skilled
staff.

Owen Davies, national officer for social workers, said: “It is
time for government and local authorities to face up to their
responsibilities, and put enough resources into social services to
ensure that what happened to Victoria will never happen again.”

A survey carried out by the union revealed that 96 per cent of
respondents reported that their caseloads were too high, 95 per
cent reported acute stress and burn-out, and that nine out of 10
staff take work home.

Davies said: “There is no doubt in my mind that these factors
played a key part in the case of Victoria Climbie and I fear that
unless urgent action is taken, it is only a matter of time before
another child is murdered.”