Worrying shortfalls in social work departments around the UK
Updated on 26 August 2008
A Freedom of Information request by Channel 4 News uncovers shortfalls in social work departments around the country. Sam Kingsley reports.
We discover that shortages are so severe that some departments are lacking up to half their staff.
Together with a high staff turnover, we reveal that the government's commitments to bolster child protection in the wake of high-profile deaths of children like Victoria Climbie are being undermined.
Other children are potentially being put at risk.
Channel 4's Generation Next season is promoting new talent on TV throughout August.
As part of that initiative, journalism graduate Sam Kingsley has been investigating the social work shortage.