Wales in grip of children’s staff crisis

The shortage of social workers in children’s services has
become an “emergency” in Wales, Peter Clarke warned this week.

In his third annual report, the Welsh children’s
commissioner said children at risk who were not allocated a social
worker were in “real danger” if a staffing shortfall was not
addressed.

Clarke highlighted the “increasing difficulty” of recruiting and
retaining newly qualified social workers in children’s
services.

He also expressed concerned about the lack of children’s
complaints officers, noting that only 10 councils had developed the
role.