On 10 June 2010, ministers announced the launch of a review of children’s social work, headed by Professor Eileen Munro. It is to be wide-ranging and will be an important step to remove barriers and bureaucracy from social work practice that prevent face-to-face time with children and families. This will include considering how effectively children’s social workers and professionals in other agencies work together.
The review will build on the work of Lord Laming’s Progress Report (March 2009) and the Social Work Task Force, drawing on the evidence submitted to these reviews and the informative extensive analysis undertaken. Professor Munro will also keep close links with the continuing work of the Social Work Reform Board.
As part of the review, Professor Munro will pursue new lines of inquiry in order to identify new and innovative examples of good practice, with an aim to understanding how they were made possible and what obstacles had to be overcome.
Professor Munro is due to submit her final report in April 2011, an interim report in January 2011, and an initial report in September 2010.