I agree that social workers in all areas are under pressure and overloaded with work. The same goes for the families they're employed to support. What has to happen before this government's austerity approach comes to a halt and services are given more resources, i.e. staff and practical services.
I apologise to Imperfect, nina and other regular contributors who I know are struggling to care for their loved ones, for introducing politics to this discussion. I struggle to understand how things can improve without changes in government policies. We are a wealthy country. We can afford to provide decent public services, put in good training for police, social workers, nurses, those working in education and the criminal justice system. I find it shameful that our services are being diminished in favour of profit making organisations. How can it be right to see health, education or social care as ripe to be privatised for profit making? I'm not suggesting all was perfect previously but things were better and their were aspirations to continue to improve.