In a series of three documentaries for Radio 4, Jenny Cuffe reports from the frontline of social work, witnessing some of the dramatic and intractable human problems social workers are called on to deal with, as well as the moments of success and black comedy.
The first episode looks at the new staff recruited to work in the London Borough of Haringey where Victoria Climbie was murdered.
The second programme discusses some to of the mental health issues social workers face.
The third episode looks at some of the problems dealt with by one of Hertfordshire's Children, Schools and Families Workers.