‘Fast-track top graduates into social work to raise standards’

Thousands of Oxford and Cambridge graduates will be encouraged into social work to raise standards after the Baby P tragedy, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announced today.

High-flyers will be fast-tracked under a £100 million programme modelled on a scheme to boost teaching recruits.

Islington will be among three councils to test giving more freedom to children’s frontline services to promote new ideas. A new regulatory body will oversee training.

Mrs Morgan said the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly, who suffered more than 50 injuries but was not taken to safety by Haringey social workers, showed the need for major reforms.

“It is time to say ‘okay’ is not good enough for these children, and that where there is failure we can no longer sit by and watch,” she said.

Mrs Morgan said she wanted “the best people” to become social workers which meant it had to be made into a more prestigious and high-status profession.

“We need the best people on the frontline, armed with the knowledge and skills to change lives,” she said.