The fall-out from the Baby Peter case has left social workers struggling with heavy workloads, the LGA has warned. Research found clear evidence of an increase in care orders being made by councils after the case became high profile in November 2008 – and a drop in morale among frontline social workers. The LGA also warned funding is becoming a critical issue, particularly in implementing changes recommended by Lord Laming. Researchers warned: ‘In some LAs, social workers, their managers and legal advisers are contending with very high workloads. These have implications for both the quality and timeliness of their work. ‘There is considerable concern about actual or imminent shortfalls in resources, with LAs paying out substantial sums of money to agencies for staff and children's placements.'