Social workers will work in schools to help identify children at risk

The funding announcement follows reports that of a rise in domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic, with some children also experiencing exposure to drug and alcohol misuse, or are at risk from online harm.

The Department for Education said that as more children return to school, the new measures will help teachers identify children at risk.

The second largest source of referrals to children’s social services - around one in five – are from schools.

The plan is part of a series of measures following the virtual Hidden Harms summit held in Downing Street today.

Local authorities will be invited to bid for the funding and 150 schools will be chosen to take part in the scheme following this.

The DfE said that early evidence from pilot studies shows that placing social workers in schools helps keep children safe because they are able to work with teaching professionals to identify children in need of support.

Announcing the £6.5m project to take place in 150 schools, education secretary Gavin Williamson said, ‘The stark reality is that too many children are growing up at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. These are the most vulnerable in society, and the ones that most need our help. For these children, schools offer a safe space to get support, develop resilience and fulfil their potential.

‘That is why, as schools begin opening more widely and we look to the future, we must take all the steps we can to protect these children. By bringing social workers into schools we can spot the warning signs more quickly.’

The funding follows three studies, undertaken by the What Works Centre for Social Care, in 2019/20 where social workers were placed in schools in Lambeth, Southampton and Stockport, and it was shown that social care support offered through schools could help keep children safe. 

The move also builds on the findings of the DfE’s Children in Need review, helping develop a stronger evidence base on what interventions are most effective to improve the outcomes of children in need by expanding and evaluating projects that work best.

Chief social worker for Children Isabelle Trowler said, ‘I am delighted to see further investment in this very promising area of practice. Keeping social workers close to children, their families and alongside their communities will help build those essential relationships, which we know to be the bedrock of effective family support and child protection.’

The measures add to those taken by the DfE to safeguard children during the coronavirus outbreak, including providing free IT devices to children with a social worker so they can continue to stay in touch with children’s services, and £12 million in funding for programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable children, including those at risk of witnessing domestic abuse.

More than £3.2 billion has also been made available for local authorities, helping them meet extra demands including within children’s social care services.