Association wants staff redeployment

Ian Johnston, director of the British Association of Social
Workers, believes more hospital-based social workers could improve
detection rates of child abuse.

Speaking to Community Care, Johnston said front-line
staff should be redeployed in key locations such as casualty units,
schools and GP practices because the initial signs of many abuse
cases are often first presented to NHS and education
professionals.

“That’s when you need social work input and until that
[redeployment] happens we are kidding ourselves that we can provide
a proper service to children at risk,” he said.