Written question asked by Bob Spink (Independent (affiliation)) on Wednesday, 16 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 January 2010. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Thursday, 8 April 2010 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Social Workers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many foster carers caring for children through special guardianship orders have reported to his Department allegations of (a) intimidation and (b) bullying by social workers in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Data on allegations made about social workers is not collected by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. I am not aware of any allegations about intimidation or bullying by social workers having been reported to the Department by a Special Guardian in the last 12 months.Social worker employers hold information on allegations made about social workers in their employment as it is their responsibility to investigate such allegations and take appropriate action.The General Social Care Council also investigates allegations about social workers in its capacity as the regulator of the social work profession in England. The General Social Care Council's report "Raising standards: Social work conduct in England 2003-2008" which includes trend analyses of the cases referred to them in the period 2003-08 is available here:"http://www.gscc.org.uk/Conduct/Publications +and+useful+documents/"

Secondary information