I watched Ed Balls this morning on GMTV. He was there to launch the Government’s new campaign to recruit more social workers. The campaign uses actors to give a voice to those in society who are in trouble and need the support of social workers. And I really welcome the move as we are having some trouble attracting social workers to Haringey (not surprisingly) – but also generally throughout the country it is a job that people are reluctant to take on.

And I thought the GMTV interviewer was spot on when she said to Ed Balls – who was banging on about the use of the actors in the ad -that it wasn’t about an ad or a campaign, but surely it was much more about what they were paid, what support they got and the importance of training and good management. Absolutely right.

Balls said that they were putting a lot of resources into training and support – so let’s hope that is the case. As to the campaign to attract social workers – I hope it works. It must be one of the most important jobs there is to do – and to do a job that can and should do so much good and bring so much hope and help into the lives of people at their point of need must be worthwhile.