Specialist trusts to replace 'monolithic' social services

Social services departments are to be dismantled and replaced by specialist trusts to care for vulnerable children and old people, Alan Milburn, the Health Secretary, said yesterday.

He said social services in their current "monolithic, one size fits all" structure had failed the public, with scandals such as the death of the eight-year-old Victoria Climbie.

Instead the Government will introduce new Children's Trusts that will "dramatically reshape" the way services are organised and delivered, Mr Milburn told a social services conference in Cardiff.

In December, organisations interested in setting up pilot trusts will be invited to present their plans to the departments of health and education. The trusts will be responsible for commissioning, financing, and possibly delivering services for children, including social care, health and education. At the same time, NHS and social services for older people will be reshaped into Care Trusts to provide seamless care for needy pensioners.

Mr Milburn said the Children's Trusts would be based in local councils and cover services for disabled and special needs children, child protection, monitoring of vulnerable youngsters and mental health services for young people. They could be run by not-for-profit, public-interest companies, with help from community, voluntary or private sector organisations, he said. Whichever model proved most successful, he made clear that voluntary organisations and charities would in future play a "bigger part in the delivery of social services".

Mr Milburn said: "The old-style public service monoliths cannot meet modern challenges. They need to be broken up. In their place we can forge new local partnerships that specialise in tackling the particular problems local communities face."

New breeds of social workers would also be created. One type of professional to care for old people would combine the skills of a therapist, community nurse and home help. Family care workers could combine the skills of the health visitor and social worker, Mr Milburn said.