The story behind England’s crisis in children’s social services - Uncovered podcast

Social workers, children’s charities and councils have been warning for several years about a crisis brewing in children’s social care in England, with repeated calls for action to protect children.

NationalWorld’s data and investigations editor Harriet Clugston has been looking into the huge funding gaps in the sector, and she explains what she has found in the latest episode of our Uncovered podcast

Harriet hears from to Marcus Johns of the Institute of Public Policy North about how they have found that austerity fell on the north of England hardest, making a significant difference for the life chances of children there.

Also on this episode, Dr Paul Shuttleworth, a researcher and professional social worker from the British Association of Social Workers, talks about the vicious cycle facing the sector, the strain that social workers themselves are under, and why they need more time and resources to dedicate to the children they work with.

You can listen to the podcast in full below, and subscribe on any platform, including Apple and Spotify.

Uncovered goes behind the headlines to give you an in-depth look at the stories that matter. On each episode Kelly Crichton is joined by the NationalWorld reporters who are working to bring information to light and hold those in power accountable.

Uncovered reveals the journalistic work that goes into the team’s investigations, and highlights important stories we think you need to know about but have gone uncovered in the wider media.

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