Social work body Skills for Care appoints Insight for lobbying and PR

The government body charged with improving standards in social work has named fresh PR and lobbying support as the profession comes under media and political scrutiny.

Skills for Care has appointed Insight Public Affairs as its integrated PR and public affairs agency, following a competitive pitch.

Skills for Care provides more than £25m in funding to support improved training and qualifications for social care staff in England.

The appointment of John Lehal's agency comes hot on the heels of the Baby P case, in which social workers were accused of missing signs. It also follows the recent publication of a green paper on the future of the care system in England.