New role need to tackle antisocial behaviour

Home Office minister Hazel Blears has called for a new type of professional to tackle the causes of antisocial behaviour.

She told Labour think-tank Progress’s annual conference this month that social workers, education and health staff were continuing to work apart from each other.

Blears said: “We go in as social workers, health visitors, education welfare officers and do the technical interventions and say our own little bit but the key is to build a relationship with these people.”

She said that a “multi-skilled” role could be created – part health visitor, part education social worker – to promote a joined-up approach.