WFH social worker lives 100 miles from clients

A SOCIAL worker for vulnerable children in Gloucester lives and works from home on the Isle of Wight, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

The manager, who oversees a team looking after disabled children, lives more than 100 miles away. A oneway trip takes four hours, including a ferry journey.

The issue of the problems caused by the remote work arrangement has been raised by the parents of Jacob Parsons, 17, who has autism, ADHD and Tourette’s.

James Parsons and Kirsty Baldwin, both 36, say they have been struggling to get the right support for their son from Gloucestershire county council for years.

The family were given a new social worker and team leader in 2020, both of whom live outside the county.

Jacob’s social worker predominantly works from her home in Malvern, around an hour’s drive from the family home, they claim. They say she has cancelled and rescheduled five face-to-face visits over the past year.

Meanwhile, they say, they have only met the Isle of Wight-based team leader in person once, 18 months ago.

Mr Parsons said: “If you’ve got a crisis unfolding, how can you deal with it if you don’t know the area?

“What are you going to do from the Isle of Wight? It’s irresponsible.”

Ms Baldwin said: “You can’t build a proper rapport because you hardly get to meet them face to face.”

Jacob’s parents also claim his educational care plan is out of date, and he has not had respite care to which he is entitled.

A council spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear the family are dissatisfied and will continue working with them to… see what other options may be possible.”