IT is perhaps ironic that, during a time of crisis, Swindon's social services department is being forced to make drastic cutbacks.

But overspending by the department is crippling the council as a whole, and measures must be implemented before the problem spirals out of control.

The department's difficulties are not eased by an increase in the number of vulnerable children needing care.

The cost of looking after those is substantial, particularly because many are having to be accommodated in expensive out of borough placements.

Nevertheless, perhaps now is the time for the department to review its services after it received severe criticism by Government inspectors in June.

Certainly, those in charge are under pressure, and their job is not easy.

But tough decisions have to be made if greater efficiency is to be achieved.