Children given direct access to social workers in schools

Children from the age of three up to school leavers are to have
direct access to social work services in a radical development to
be pursued by Glasgow council.

Teams of staff from social work, health, education and community
work will be available in schools to work with children and
families experiencing difficulties in line with the council’s
policy to integrate services. The initial costs of £1.4
million over two years will come from the Scottish executive.

Richard Barron, acting deputy director of education for Glasgow
council, said: “There will be a specific social work person for
every school or school cluster.”

However, Barron admitted that because of Glasgow’s
difficulty in recruiting qualified social workers, and the shortage
in childcare services in particular, most basic team members will
probably be at unqualified social work assistant level while being
supervised and managed by a qualified member of staff.

In addition to the integrated school teams, Glasgow council is
to develop two new community schools in the city in Easterhouse and
Drumchapel. The development of community schools serving the wider
community is part of the council’s drive towards local,
integrated services with plans to develop 17 in total within the
next five years.