The Social Work Task Force report published yesterday, provides a long overdue and much needed insight into the profession, but why has it taken so long?

These changes should have been made following the tragic death of Victoria Climbie’ nearly 10 years ago.

And, whilst very welcome the big question mark surrounds funds available. Cash strapped local authorities are already struggling to pay the kind of salaries to attract social workers and they will undoubtedly need to know that extra resources will be made available to provide the professional development, training, support and salary packages that need to be provided if the Government is serious about developing the profession and retaining experienced social workers.

So we will have to see how serious the Government takes this issue. Lip Service or crucial service? We will see. Whatever happens the fact remains that social workers do a difficult job in often difficult circumstances under extreme pressure and stress.

They deserve and we should expect that should have their situation and the professions future development taken seriously. We don’t need any more Baby P’s.