Child protection workers in UK

[Sarah1983]

I have child protection experience here in Canada but I'm wondering why there is such a demand for these workers in the UK. I know one borough had a huge issues with children dying at the hands of their parents.

Is the work load too much? I have a lot of questions regarding this b/c I'm not sure if I want to do this work in the UK or look for something else. Anyone out there who can share some info??

[Huntmar]

(In my opinion) The social work industry in the UK is undergoing a transformation right now. They have recently instituted new educational standards for qualified social workers and before 2005 didn't offer social work degrees in the UK.

There has been a push to try to professionalize UK social work since a number of high profile deaths in child protection -- not the fault of social workers necessarily, but of an industry that perhaps didn't have the registration and education it should have offered social workers in order to protect children at risk.

There is also a HUGE shortage of foster care spots in the English child welfare system and i think this contributes to high 'active' case loads for social workers there.

Just my 2 cents!

[Sarah1983]

thanks for that i'm sure it'll be a steep learning curve