COUNCIL chiefs in Worcestershire are being urged to move quickly in their drive to get more children out of care - but not to expect too much from schools.

Councillor Fran Oborski, a Liberal Democrat, said she is concerned too much may be asked of teaching staff in the drive to keep more youngsters safe.

As your Worcester News revealed earlier this year, after an independent review took place into Worcestershire's under-pressure children's services the county council is looking to make long-term strides in making it perform better.

Much of the onus will be on an 'early help' strategy to prevent more children from going into care in the first place, while other ideas include training for the likes of taxi drivers and pharmacies to spot the tell-tale signs of abuse.

Councillor Oborski said if too much is asked of schools, she is worried it may have unintended consequences.

Speaking during a meeting of the children and young people overview and scrutiny panel, she said: "I am still very worried as to whether the council's partners, like schools, have the capacity and resources to really deal with this.

"If an increasing burden is thrown onto them I don't think they have the finances or the staffing to cope.

"I'm absolutely certain of that, particularly with the pressures they are under due to Ofsted, even if the will is there it just won't happen.

"The support just isn't out there and problems will get worse if we don't nip it in the bud."

Labour Councillor Paul Denham said he was concerned that if the council focused on children who are "the closest to being looked-after" in care, it would expose "a whole raft" of youngsters with less complex needs.

"There will be a whole raft of children with less complex needs, whose needs could end up escalating as a result," he said.

The feedback is being sent to the Conservative cabinet as the early help strategy develops.

During the meeting Councillor John Campion, the cabinet member for children and families, said he was focused on getting the number of children in care, which stands at around 716, down.

"Quite away from the impact it has upon any child, this isn't a lifestyle from a pure, hard money point of view that we can afford," he said.

"The best place for our young people is a loving, family home."