Austerity cuts partly to blame for tragedy

For several days the media have given extensive coverage to the tragic death of six-year old Arthur Labinjo-hughes.

The government has announced an enquiry and no doubt a worthy report will be produced to sit alongside dozens of other which appeared during my long social work career.

Most recommendations were diluted or ignored, especially when more resources were required. The Blame Game has already begun, focussing on shortcomings by “the authorities” and usually social workers are the easy target.

The protection of children is a complex business which involves numerous bodies including social services, GPS and health personnel, schools, police and other organisations.

From my experience I know that a great deal of effort is expended to identify risks and offer the right services but so often there are severe limits to what is available. Many vulnerable people, children, parents, carers and others, struggle with difficult circumstances and behaviour well beyond the resources of local agencies.

Poverty and bad housing housing conditions have a major impact on health and welfare.

We should remember that, every day, tens of thousands of children are being protected and the numbers on “at risk” registers has soared. However, the enormous rise in the number of children coming into care over the last decade, creating an unbearable financial burden on local authorities, is a predictable consequence of government social and economic policies.

In this one case, clearly the parents are the prime culprits, but the broadest responsibility rests on Conservative governments which have repeatedly slashed the budgets of local authorities and health bodies.

The austerity cuts were immoral and avoidable. These swept away many of the support and prevention services which were widespread up to 2012; the loss of Sure Start centres, council-run family centres, day nurseries and youth clubs has undermined families and communities.

There are fewer health visitors and community and school nurses who could monitor and assist children and vulnerable adults, fewer child-care specialists and therapeutic services of all kinds.

People who voted for Tory aus

terity have to accept some responsibility for the outcomes. If you don’t vote for and pay for public services they will not be there to help you and others. The current crisis in hospital admissions has the same cause.

Steve Richards

Bath