There's many good reasons why they shouldn't have those powers.
87.1% of Children and family social workers are women. Most home visits will be alone unless there's a reason not to do that.
And fundamentally, social workers are the main point of contact between the parent/child/other family members and the local authority.
Social workers do not have the power to take children into care unless parents voluntarily hand over care and sign a consent form.
If parents don't sign this then police protection is required temporarily and then the local authority would have to go through the courts to get a care order if the children couldn't stay with relatives under a special guardianship order.
Giving social workers powers of entry fundamentally changes the nature of their role.
It would weaken the relationships they have with families and is more likely to turn begrudgingly compliant parents into manipulative and deceitful parents.
It's already a sector that relies on temporary staff, and overseas workers, and has a high turn over.
