Social workers in Children's Services at Elm Heath Council face budget cuts, crippling stress, useless temp staff and a growing client list, making for chaotic and challenging workdays.

Rose makes a discovery when investigating a teacher-pupil relationship. Nitin is forced to clean the Council's worst kitchen. Al helps clients with learning difficulties and a new baby.

Al worries over homophobic abuse. Nitin's bottom goes up on Instagram. Rose frets over fall-out from a teacher-pupil relationship. One of the staff is taken hostage by a desperate man.

Rose finds a creative way to care for her mom, who suffers dementia. A famous actor is accused of child abuse, and the staff try to keep the story out of the press. Rose's mom vanishes.

Nitin gets a haircut for a hot date. PC Harris calls an emergency meeting when two Syrian orphans go missing and he suspects foul play. Martin offers to pop to the shops to look for them.

Denise wants cases closed. Al juggles housing a family of Syrian refuges with meeting his girlfriend. Rose must discuss a delicate topic with Denise. Another abandoned-baby call comes in.