SOCIAL workers supporting vulnerable children and families in Dumfries and Galloway have caseloads that are three times higher than they should be, it has been revealed.
Under pressure staff work with over 1200 children in total across the region, and more complex cases are emerging in the aftermath of the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
Meanwhile, the service regularly only operates at two thirds of capacity – because of staff vacancies and workers off sick with stress.
Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Willie Scobie said: “Some 1200 children at risk, both in statutory and non-statutory responsibilities, that really is quite frightening.”
A report was tabled at the council’s social work committee last week which confirmed that social work bosses are expecting a budget overspend of £742,000 at the end of this financial year – despite a previous budget top-up of £2.78m.
The sky high costs of residential and fostering placements for children continues to be a huge strain on the budget.
Stephen Morgan, chief social work officer, told councillors at last week’s committee that social workers in Dumfries and Galloway dealing with adults have a caseload double what’s recommended by Social Work Scotland.
He continued: “For our children and families staff, their caseloads are in excess of three times that recommendation.
“As of Friday last week, we currently had 67 children who are identified at risk of harm, of abuse and are on our child protection register
“There are in excess of 300 children who have compulsory supervision orders.”
He then added that the council works with over 1200 children in total.
Charles Rocks, the council’s head of children, families and justice social work, added: “Intermittently we’ve been operating at between 65 and 70 percent capacity as a service – due to vacancies and sickness.
“And that does put a huge level of pressure onto frontline staff.
“It impacts around our ability to develop relationship-based practice with our children.
“We’re really committed that children have a right to develop a relationship with their social worker.”
Senior manager Rebecca Aldridge said: “We all know that the complexities and types of challenges that people are dealing with are growing.
“It’s really important to recognise the amount of pressure that staff groups are under to do their best.
“We hope to find ways to get in earlier to people. We all know that early intervention is the only way forward.”
Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward described it as “a perfect storm”.
